A devastating incident took place in April 2022 when farmer Richard Norton Lewis, 50, lost his life in a tragic accident. While working on a neighbor’s hillside near Tywyn in Gwynedd, he was thrown from his tractor and crushed underneath it. The incident occurred when a tire on the lime spreader trailer popped, causing the tractor to lose control.
The sound of the bursting tire was so loud that it could be heard nearly a mile away, according to witnesses at the scene. Mr. Lewis’s friend, farm owner Elfed Evans, witnessed the horrifying event unfold before his eyes. He saw Mr. Lewis being thrown from the tractor’s cab and lying motionless on the ground as the tractor continued its downward descent on the steep hillside of Bodilan Fawe Farm in Llanfihangel y Pennant.
“The tractor came down and landed on him, the roof of the tractor landed right on top,” Mr. Evans tearfully recalled during the inquest at Caernarfon Coroner’s Court.
Despite the lack of mobile phone signal, Mr. Evans quickly raced back to the farmhouse on a quadbike to raise the alarm and seek help. Neighboring farmers and emergency services swiftly arrived at the scene to provide assistance. Unfortunately, the injuries sustained by Mr. Lewis were of a severe nature, and he passed away due to “massive crush injuries” to his head and upper body.
The inquest jury concluded that Mr. Lewis’s death was an accidental one. A subsequent investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) determined that the tractor had overturned due to the deflation and splitting of the tire from the wheel rim. However, the exact cause of the tire bursting remains unknown.
Mr. Lewis was a highly respected farmer with three decades of experience in handling agricultural equipment. Known for his meticulous maintenance of his machinery, he took pride in his work.
The tragic loss of Richard Lewis serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that can arise even in routine farming activities. As we honor Mr. Lewis’s memory, it is crucial for all farmers to prioritize safety measures and regularly inspect and maintain their equipment to prevent such accidents from occurring in the future.
