Man Dies After Tractor Rolls

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30325, 28 December 1963, Page 12

Man Dies After Tractor Rolls

(New Zealand Press Association)

INVERCARGILL, Dec. 27. A Clinton farmer died as the result of a tractor accident shortly before 6 p.m yesterday. He was: Cummings Johnstor Gibbs, married with five children, of Hilford road, Clinton.

A companion, Mr Wesley Harrison, of Clinton, who was riding on a trailer, escaped with injuries to the legs, which were pinned when the tractor, being driven by Mr Gibbs, overturned.

The men were carting water with a 200-gallon tank on a hydraulic tray behind the tractor. Mr Harrison tried to shout to his companion about a chain which was apparently shaking off. A high wind was blowing at the time. The right hand wheels of the tractor ran along the level of a small ridge, but the others dropped and the tractor veered to the left. It rolled over in that direction

and landed on its wheels in a swamp at the bottom.

Mr Harrison was pinned by the legs, but pulled himself free. Mr Gibbs was thrown clear, but was found to be dead.

An inquest was opened at Clinton before Mr G. L. Copland, J.P., acting as coroner, for identification purposes, and adjourned. The Gore District Coroner, Mr D. Russell has ordered a postmortem examination.