Illinois Farm Deaths at Lowest Level in 35 Years

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The number of laborers and others killed in accidents on Illinois farms is falling.

The (Champaign) News-Gazette reports that the number of fatalities in the 12 months ending June 30 was the lowest in 35 years.

According to the insurance firm Country Financial, 12 deaths were reported during that period. That’s down from 20 during the previous, 2011-2012 reporting period.

Eric Vanasdale is a senior loss control representative for Country Financial. He tells the newspaper that Illinois is “clearly on a path to report zero farm deaths.”

During the past year, four people were killed in tractor accidents such as roll-overs. Four others were killed in roadway collisions. The other four deaths were caused by accidents ranging from grain bin suffocation to a fall from a hayride trailer.