Inspection Detail

Inspection: 309060960 - Norm'S Pumpkin Patch

Inspection Information - Office: Indiana Department Of Labor

Investigation Summary

Employee #1 was hired to perform as a costumed actor for a Pumpkin Patch Haunted Hay ride. On October 22, 2005, Employee #1 was stationed at the first station of the hay ride that greeted people to the Pumpkin Patch. The tractor operator was pulling the wagon with approximately 20 customers. Employee #1 was assigned to a station that was to the west side of the road or passage way. The tractor operator was expecting Employee #1 to run up to the wagon to greet the guests from the west side of the wagon. Employee #1 came out of the field from the east side and was not seen by the tractor operator. The tractor was moving at a very slow speed before stopping at first scene and then proceeded when Employee #1 did not perform his assignment. The area of accident had slightly muddy clay ground. There was no lighting except the tractor's lights and flashing lights, and no flashlight was observed coming towards the tractor and wagon. The actors are told to use flashlights for safety reasons. Employee #1 was run over by farm tractor and died later the next morning.

Keywords: HEAD, STRUCK BY, TRACTOR, CONCUSSION, INATTENTION, POOR VISIBILITY