A farm worker was tragically crushed to death while assisting a colleague with attaching machinery to a tractor, a coroner's court has heard. The fatal incident occurred on a field operated by Southern England Farms Ltd, highlighting serious concerns about agricultural workplace safety.
Details of the Tragic Incident
Aleksej Kleinov, aged 34, was helping a less experienced colleague lift a mini packer, also known as a box rig, to her tractor on April 11, 2024. The accident took place near Trispen, Truro, in Cornwall. Mr Kleinov, an experienced tractor driver who had been with SEF since 2014, was fatally wounded when the arms of the machinery struck him during the hitching process.
Witness Accounts and Immediate Aftermath
Shakhzoda Bakibayeva, a witness, described seeing Mr Kleinov bent forward while trying to attach the mini packer. She stated, "He turned around and walked towards me and held his hand out when he came down from the trailer. He was outside the trailer when he collapsed. He didn't say a word. He was quite in shock."
Fellow worker Aneta Vitanova reported that the arms of the mini packer lifted as Mr Kleinov was bent over, hitting his head and neck. After extricating himself, Mr Kleinov walked a few steps before collapsing. Colleagues administered CPR for over an hour before paramedics arrived, but he could not be revived due to the severity of his injuries and was declared deceased at the scene.
Company Background and Safety Investigation
Southern England Farms Ltd farms and operates more than 7,000 acres of UK farmland, primarily growing brassica and other green vegetables. The company employs between 150 and 450 staff seasonally. Following the incident, a Health and Safety Executive investigation was launched into the death from contact with farm machinery.
Training and Procedural Changes
Renaldus Blaziunas, a trainer originally from Lithuania, informed the inquest that training for tractor and trailer use was previously informal, with trainers notifying HR when employees were ready. He had not shown his sister, Rugile Kuraite, how to hitch the mini packer, deeming it unnecessary. Ms Kuraite, whom Mr Kleinov was assisting, had passed her tractor driving assessment but had no training on the mini packer before the incident.
Mr Blaziunas revealed, "Since the incident we no longer use the mini packers any more. People now have to pass an examination. It is a more formal process." This shift underscores the tragic catalyst for improved safety protocols.
Medical Findings and Inquest Proceedings
Dr Amanda Jeffery, a Home Office registered pathologist, conducted the postmortem and determined the cause of death as head and neck injuries. A toxicology examination found no evidence of alcohol or drugs in Mr Kleinov's system.
The inquest, held in Truro, is expected to conclude shortly, with the first day of the two-day hearing detailing the circumstances leading to this devastating workplace accident. The case has drawn attention to the risks in agricultural operations and the critical need for comprehensive training and safety measures.
