Wairarapa farm incidents leave six dead or seriously injured in six months
Farmers are being warned about the dangers of off-road vehicles and machinery amid severe weather following six incidents where people have suffered serious injury, or even died.
“Over the last six months, our region has seen an unprecedented amount of rainfall, which has led to highly variable ground conditions,” Wairarapa Police Area Commander Inspector Nick Thom said.
The weather has caused extensive slipping on farm tracks as well as waterlogged paddocks, leaving the ground unstable, uneven, and slippery.
“Due to this, there has been a significant increase in the risk of serious incidents on local properties due to the treacherous and wet conditions.”
Thom said officers have had to attend six incidents in the past six months where individuals have either been killed or seriously injured. He did not specify how many of that number had died.
”We are strongly urging all farm owners, managers, and operators to review their safety vehicle protocols, particularly when navigating sloped surfaces and steep hillsides," he said, noting the current lambing and calving season.
“Farmers are urged to choose the right vehicle for the specific job, ensure all machinery is regularly serviced, and verify that every operator is competent, trained, and wearing the correct personal protective equipment.”
Fallen trees are posing a risk to people in the Wairarapa region, including Waikanae resident Andy Wray. Photo / Mark Mitchell
The Wairarapa Rural Support Trust’s Sarah Donaldson said such accidents have a “profound emotional impact” on rural teams and farming families.
“Our sympathy goes out to every single family and member of our close-knit community who has experienced a serious injury or tragedy on a farm,” Donaldson said.
“History and analysis of incidents over the years shows that injury and death can occur to even the most experienced operators, so all rural folk are urged to think carefully about their own situations and experiences when it comes to operating all rural machinery,” she said.
The trust is actively looking into offering safety courses, she said.
Police and the trust urged the entire agricultural sector to prioritise safety, slow down, and carefully assess track and ground conditions before operating any machinery.
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