An 82-year-old Butler man was killed Wednesday evening when the trailer attached to his tractor ran over him on private property northwest of Weatherford, according to troopers with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
KOCO, citing an Oklahoma Highway Patrol report, identified the victim as Curtis Walker, 82. Investigators said Walker was driving a tractor on private land near 2140 Road and 850 Road around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday when he got out of the vehicle without realizing it was still in drive. As he tried to jump back on, he fell on the step and the attached trailer ran over him, killing him.
Tractor Hazards in Rural Oklahoma
Tractors and other farm machinery remain a leading cause of fatal injuries on U.S. farms, especially among older operators. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in a review published in the CDC, estimates that tractor rollovers account for roughly 130 work-related deaths each year and notes that rollover protective structures used with seat belts sharply reduce fatalities. Safety programs stress retrofitting older equipment and following safe mounting and dismounting procedures to prevent runovers.
What Officials Said
The initial Oklahoma Highway Patrol report provided to media stated that no one else was involved in the incident, according to KOCO. The report did not indicate whether a mechanical problem or a medical issue contributed to the incident, and investigators had not released further findings.
Safety Takeaway
Extension and farm-safety groups advise tractor operators to shut off the engine, set the parking brake or shift into park, remove the key, and use handholds and steps whenever getting on or off equipment. Penn State Extension and Purdue Extension also caution against mounting or dismounting while a tractor is moving and recommend keeping access steps clean and dry to avoid slips. Authorities have not announced funeral arrangements for Walker.
