Farmer thrown through window of cab after being rear-ended by lorry on A419

[andybk]

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A farmer was thrown through the window of his tractor’s cab in a crash near Swindon.
Wiltshire Air Ambulance landed just metres from the dramatic collision on the A419 between Cricklade and Blunsdon at around 3pm this afternoon.

The incident involved a lorry (HGV) and a tractor towing a trailer southbound.
The lorry reportedly rear-ended the trailer, flinging the driver of the tractor – a farmer – from his seat and into the road. He’s believed to have suffered head, neck and back injuries.

Despite specialist air ambulance critical care medics being tasked, he was taken to hospital by land ambulance. His injuries aren’t thought to be life-changing or life-threatening.
The driver of the lorry involved didn’t suffer any serious injuries but was taken to the Great Western Hospital for further assessment. Their dog – which was in the lorry’s cab – was looked after by a Stratton firefighter whilst paramedics assessed them.
“No-one has been arrested at this stage and our enquiries continue”, a spokesperson for Wiltshire Police told Wiltshire 999s.

 

[Robt]

This makes my blood run cold. Yesterday I came around a fast corner in the rain. There was father hedge cutting on the main road. Only rear side lights on. I had to brake hard to miss him. I stopped and gave him a rollicking! He said he would be fine! I said yea but others will die! I gave him my beacon to put on his hedge at car windscreen height!

 

[andybk]

How long before seatbelts on a public highway ?

 

[michael N123]

How long before seatbelts on a public highway ?

I wear mine quite abit spreading fert or leading silage it’s always on stops you sliding about on the seat on long days if anything

 

[Yale]

It happens....,

@danpwll

 

[db9go]

How long before seatbelts on a public highway ?

They are now if it has belts they must be worn

 

[toquark]

How long before seatbelts on a public highway ?

They already are...either that or my points and fine were in vain

 

[robs1]

This makes my blood run cold. Yesterday I came around a fast corner in the rain. There was father hedge cutting on the main road. Only rear side lights on. I had to brake hard to miss him. I stopped and gave him a rollicking! He said he would be fine! I said yea but others will die! I gave him my beacon to put on his hedge at car windscreen height!

Highway code says you should be able to stop in the distance you can see. Could have been a child on a horse.

 

[deleted user 837354]

How long before seatbelts on a public highway ?

Always have worn seat belt in a tractor when on the public highway. No other option.

 

[andybk]

Always have worn seat belt in a tractor when on the public highway. No other option.

lol shows how old my tractors are then ,

 

[Robt]

Highway code says you should be able to stop in the distance you can see. Could have been a child on a horse.

Yes it could. Or it could have been a tired distracted. Truck driver. Thankfully I rather like my father and am glad he took my flashing lights

 

[Al R]

Could it be more the lorry driver at fault?
A good friend of mine was hit by a lorry when driving a forager by oxford Pretty sure he said it was middle of the night

'Careful, or you'll need a brand new combine harvester': Dramatic scenes as farm vehicle hangs over edge of carriageway

The agricultural vehicle collided with a lorry on the A34 near Oxford and was positioned dangerously close over the entry slip road after the accident.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[JMM]

not the first time that has happened on that stretch of road

 

[DeeGee]

I often think I should have a seatbelt when on the road.

Albeit mainly on my country lanes the impact of hitting something even with the xxxx off Loadall bucket (which would no doubt damage a car more than the bucket) would probably be massive in terms of my forward momentum.

On the other hand, 99% of my time is spent trundling about the yard fetching and carrying stuff, so a belt would need to be retracted well out of the way if not to be a trip hazard when constantly getting on and off a machine.

 

[multi power]

This makes my blood run cold. Yesterday I came around a fast corner in the rain. There was father hedge cutting on the main road. Only rear side lights on. I had to brake hard to miss him. I stopped and gave him a rollicking! He said he would be fine! I said yea but others will die! I gave him my beacon to put on his hedge at car windscreen height!

Have you ever read the highway code ?
It clearly states that you must be able to stop in the clear space you can see in front of you

 

[Classichay]

Followed a contractor towing three silage trailers coupled together up the a417 behind a 6290 which is just silly, and the other was a 50k Deere towing an elderly twin rotor fella rake on very small tyres. It was doing its best out of control shopping trolley impression (driver was transfixed in his phone for a good 1/2 mile).

 

[Farmer Roy]

Well what do you expect, driving slow vehicles on public roads where the rest of the traffic is potentially doing 100 km / hr, or whatever your speed limit is.
Here, it is illegal to drive tractors, horse drawn carriages & other slow moving vehicles on our motorways & freeways.
Even on other main roads where it is legal ( tractor or tractor & implement only - not allowed to “carry” any sort of load whatsoever . . . ) it is still a scary experience travelling at say 30 km / hr when everyone else is doing 100. I’m assuming your roads & traffic are a lot busier than ours in rural areas.
It’s just absolutely ridiculous the amount of road work you do in tractors on such a small, overpopulated area with soooo much traffic & such narrow roads

it IS a recipe for disaster . . .

I feel sorry for the truck driver

Followed a contractor towing three silage trailers coupled together up the a417 behind a 6290 which is just silly, and the other was a 50k Deere towing an elderly twin rotor fella rake on very small tyres. It was doing its best out of control shopping trolley impression (driver was transfixed in his phone for a good 1/2 mile).

we are allowed only 1 pivot point on a tractor ( ie tractor & one towed implement. In theory, towing a planter & a trailing seed cart is illegal, as 2 pivot points ) on public roads. Can ONLY tow trailers / chaser bins etc IF they are EMPTY. Not allowed to carry ANY load.

Years ago, here, heavy trucks, vehicles towing trailers etc were limited to 80km / hr, when the national speed limit was 100
However, this was recognised as being more dangerous than trucks travelling at 100km, due to the differences in speed between cars & trucks. Learner drivers were limited to 70 km.

Now, the national speed limit for ALL cars, vans, trucks big & small - including b doubles, b triples & road trains, is 100 km. Learners limit are now 90 km. The theory is that it is MUCH safer if the majority of the traffic on the roads is travelling at a similar speed. The idea of slow ( 40 km ) vehicles on roads where the majority of traffic is travelling at 100km sends chills up my spine . . .
I can’t believe you have lower speed limits for heavier vans ( I remember reading Guy Martin was done for speeding in a van because it was over a certain weight ? ) & utes ( pickups ) ???

so many traffic accidents were because of vehicles running up the rear of slower vehicles, or overtaking due to frustration of getting stuck behind a slow vehicle. You can actually get pulled up by the police here for travelling tooooo slow- as it is recognised as being a major contributor to road accidents . . . The Defender 90 pulling an “Ifor” load of bulls up a hill in second or third gear would not be looked upon favourably by our Highway Patrol on any major / busy roads


tractors for the field - trucks for the road

If you can’t maintain the posted speed limit - you shouldn’t be on the road. YOU are the one causing the problem . . .

Your “A” roads are pretty major roads aren’t they ?
Lots of traffic ?

Followed a contractor towing three silage trailers coupled together up the a417 behind a 6290 which is just silly, and the other was a 50k Deere towing an elderly twin rotor fella rake on very small tyres. It was doing its best out of control shopping trolley impression (driver was transfixed in his phone for a good 1/2 mile).

you’d nearly get locked up for that here . . .
At the VERY least, a BIG fine & possible loss of licence
And our roads are much more open & less traffic than yours . . .

 

[Daddy Pig]

If you can’t maintain the posted speed limit - you shouldn’t be on the road. YOU are the one causing the problem . . .

The speed limit is exactly what it that, a limit not an aspiration, the limit in the lane outside our farm is 60 mph, good luck to anybody trying to do that

 

[multi power]

If you can’t maintain the posted speed limit - you shouldn’t be on the road. YOU are the one causing the problem . . .

It's a speed LIMIT not minimum or average speed

 

[Al R]

we are allowed only 1 pivot point on a tractor ( ie tractor & one towed implement. In theory, towing a planter & a trailing seed cart is illegal, as 2 pivot points ) on public roads. Can ONLY tow trailers / chaser bins etc IF they are EMPTY. Not allowed to carry ANY load.

I blame Ze Germans

More seriously though farming would come to a complete stop in this country if you couldn’t transport anything with tractor and trailer