A man has died after being crushed by a lawnmower in a horrific accident.
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Emergency services rushed to the scene - a rural property on Black Mountain Rd in Black Mountain, in Queensland’s Noosa Shire, about 132km north of Brisbane - following reports of a serious trauma incident at 8:20AM on Saturday.
Authorities believe the man had been working underneath the lawnmower when it unexpectedly fell on him.
Emergency Response and Fatal Outcome
Queensland Ambulance Service confirmed they responded to a “trauma incident involving machinery” at a private residence that morning.
“Paramedics assessed one male with life-threatening injuries,” a spokesperson said, per Sky News.
Despite efforts to save him, Queensland Police confirmed the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
"It is believed the man may have been working underneath it at the time and was declared deceased," police stated. A report will be prepared for the coroner.
Black Mountain is a small town in Queensland, located around 27km west of Noosa Heads, a popular holiday destination.
Lawnmower Accidents: A Startling Statistic
While the circumstances of this tragedy are still under investigation, lawnmower-related accidents have been a longstanding concern.
In 2017, there were 69 recorded lawnmower-related deaths in the United States, a statistic that was named International Statistic of the Year by the UK’s Royal Society of Statistics. per the World Economic Forum.
Liberty Vittert, a member of the Royal Society’s judging panel, explained why the number stood out: “Everyone on the panel was particularly taken by this statistic and its insight into risk — a key concept in both statistics and everyday life.”
Between 2007 and 2016, there were a staggering 758 lawnmower-related fatalities in the U.S., averaging 76 deaths per year. Additionally, more than 9,000 children suffer lawnmower-related injuries annually, per Children's Mercy.
Lawnmower Safety Tips
To reduce the risk of accidents, experts recommend the following safety precautions when operating a lawnmower, per the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center (KIPRC):
- Avoid using a lawnmower on slopes greater than 15 degrees.
- Mow up and down slopes less than 15 degrees—never across.
- Always turn around on level ground at the top or bottom of a slope.
Authorities have yet to release further details regarding the Queensland incident.
Our thoughts go out to everybody impacted by this tragedy.