Farmer dies at Molka

WorkSafe will return to a farm north of Euroa to continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a farmer.

The 71-year-old man was crushed by a grain auger on his property at Molka. It is believed an electric winch used to support the machine collapsed while he was undertaking maintenance work on it.

WorkSafe was notified of the incident about 6 pm.

It is the second farm death in three days. Another farmer died on Sunday after his ute rolled down an embankment at Noorat, in Victoria’s South West.

WorkSafe Health and Safety Operations general manager Lisa Sturzenegger said the incidents were a tragedy.

“The impact a fatality has on the family, friends and the communities around them is profound. Our condolences go out to the families and friends,” she said.

“These incidents highlight the dangers of working on farms and how things could go wrong for very experienced people.”

“We urge those working in the agriculture industry to remain extra vigilant and to do all they can to ensure a job is carried out as safely as possible.”