The Isle of Wight Council has launched an investigation following an incident that saw a contractor ‘crushed’ by a sit-on lawnmower in Lake on Tuesday.
As first reported by Island Echo, firefighters from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, paramedics from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service and flying doctors from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance were called to the scene off Lake Common Road at around 11:15.
A John O’Conner employee – working on behalf of the Isle of Wight Council – was cutting the grass on the John Deere mower when he got too close to the drainage ditch and slipped into the gully – the 4-wheeled mower landing upside down on top of him.
Firefighters from Newport and Shanklin had to use a winch – tied to a nearby tree – to lift the green mower off the operative before he could be lifted from the scene and into an awaiting ambulance. The extent of his injuries is unknown.
He was conveyed by road to St Mary’s Hospital.
An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson has said:
“A member of staff employed by a contractor, working for the local authority was involved in an incident and attended by the emergency services. We can confirm the colleague was injured.
Article continues below this advertisement ‘This incident is under investigation and we are unable to comment any further at this stage.
“Our thoughts are with our injured colleague, and we send thanks to the Emergency Services for their quick response.”
Why is the grass being cut in wet weather and scalped so short
Because people like you would no doubt be on here moaning IF. these hard working men DARED. sit in their van due to wet weather, while most on here don’t need to venture out in the rain thanks to Benefit Britain.
I have been saying for years Health and safety does not exist on the Island
Do hope he’s ok? That must of hurt having that machine land on you?
IWC to Investigate?. “A John O’Conner employee – working on behalf of the Isle of Wight Council – was cutting the grass on the John Deere mower when he got too close to the drainage ditch and slipped into the gully – the 4-wheeled mower landing upside down on top of him.”
There’s the reason – what’s to investigate, he made an error,we all hope they are Ok and soon back with family.
Maybe IWC should investigate why it rains or goes darker when sun behind Cloud’s. What they really mean is to avoid be liable.
They’ll probably look into why the roll over protection isn’t up and in place ,and instead flat against the bonnet.
Well said Freddie it was an accident but these things happen ,there are far more important things going on every day to investigate I’m sure .
I hope the guy or girl is ok but please council get in the real world .
It’s shocking that people assume that the contractor had been drinking and was half-cut.
Almost fully cut given the proximity of the blades!
Proof you don’t need to be speeding to roll a vehicle
Well we all knew this was going to happen… Drive like maniacs on them things a few weeks ago was cutting out big green outside our house an because he was a complete idiot on it, it ended up broken. Don’t employ idiots that don’t want to grow up