Durham man killed in tractor accident
A 97-year-old rural Durham man died Aug. 11 after he was pinned under a small tractor.
Harry Decker, of 312 330th Road, was driving a WD45 Allis Chalmers tractor with attached mower when the tractor overturned and went down a 10-foot ravine, according to Marion County Sheriff Lee Becker.
The incident occurred just before 2 p.m.
Decker was pinned underneath the tractor's steering wheel, Becker said. The man's sons freed their father from the tractor by digging out the soil underneath him.
Tampa Emergency Medical Service personnel responded to the scene and performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but were unable to revive him. Decker was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Life Team helicopter was dispatched to the scene, then called off, Becker said. Crews from Durham, Lincolnville, and Marion County rescue all responded to the scene.
