photo by Brent McDonald (See video on NewsChannel 9)
Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched Tuesday at 9:57 a.m. to a possible serious accident at a residence on Middle Valley Road. Deputies arrived at 10:03 a.m. to discover a tractor and bush hog had overturned with its driver mowing on the side of a hill.
The mower, Thomas Ables, 70, was found unresponsive under the tractor. Agencies responding were the Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department, Hamilton County EMS and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.
The preliminary investigation by sheriff’s detectives at the scene indicated this is probably a tragic accident. Mr. Ables’ body was transported to the medical examiner’s office where a final determination will be made as to the cause of his death.
Sheriff Hammond said this is the time of year when a lot of farmers will be out in their fields mowing. It is time to get that last cutting of wheat in and to trim up their fields for winter, he said. The sheriff wants to remind anyone mowing that the ground will shift with the changing temperatures, moisture, etc., and that even familiar ground can create unfamiliar situations which could result in a serious accident. “Please be careful and don’t take any ground for granted,” he said.