WorkSafe Victoria investigating after farmer, 54, dies in farming accident near Ararat

The man who died at a farm near Ararat yesterday morning was attempting to unload a bulk seed bag into a semi-trailer.

WorkSafe Victoria are investigating after a 54-year-old man died while attempting to unload a bulk seed bag into a semi-trailer at Crowlands, northeast of Ararat on Wednesday.

It is understood the farm worker was pinned against the top of the trailer when the bag shifted after being lifted above the truck with a telehandler.

Victoria Police yesterday confirmed a man died while working on a property on Buangor-Ben Nevis Road, Crowlands, about 20km northeast of Ararat.

Police said the man was located with critical injuries in a telehandler around 10am on Wednesday.

Emergency services attended but the man died at the scene.

WorkSafe Victoria have been notified and will investigate the incident.

The man’s death is not being treated as suspicious.

A WorkSafe spokeswoman said they were investigating the incident but could not comment further.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

The accident brings the number of workplace fatalities in Victoria to 16 so far this year, 11 fewer than at the same time last year.

WorkSafe Victoria said as of May 26 of the 16 workplace fatalities in Victoria so far this year, five have occured in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry.

Since 2018 there have been 35 deaths in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry in Victoria, according to WorkSafe Victoria