PHILADELPHIA, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – A Union man died Thursday night in a Neshoba County tractor accident, the Neshoba County Sheriff’s Office said. It happened in the Linwood community.
The man was identified as Alford Ray Bassett. He was 70.
Officials said the tractor turned over and pinned him underneath.
Help Arrived Late Thursday
Deputies got a call about a serious injury at about 10:15 p.m. Thursday.
Volunteer firefighters from Linwood and Dixon came to help. Neighbors and family members were also there. Together, they found Bassett trapped under the tractor.
After that, crews worked to free him. Philadelphia Fire Department Engine 1 also came to help get him out.
The Neshoba County Medical Examiner came to the scene as well. The medical examiner helped with the death investigation.
A Long Day of Mowing
Family members told officials that Bassett had spent most of the afternoon mowing the land. He was using a bush hog. A bush hog is a big mower that a tractor pulls. People use it to cut tall grass and brush.
So far, officials have not said what made the tractor turn over. The sheriff’s office said the case is still under investigation.
Stay Safe on a Tractor
Experts say a tractor can flip in less than a second. That is often too fast for the driver to react.
Because of this, safety experts say two things matter most. First, the tractor needs a roll bar. Second, the driver needs to wear a seat belt.
The roll bar and the seat belt work as a team. The belt keeps you inside the safe zone the roll bar makes. Together, they stop more than 99 percent of rollover deaths and serious injuries, according to the LSU AgCenter.
However, do not wear a seat belt on a tractor with no roll bar. Instead, ask your dealer if a roll bar can be added.
Experts also say to slow down on hills and turns. Also, stay away from steep banks, ditches, and pond edges.
Queen City Newsfeed sends its thoughts to the Bassett family and friends.
