A Hutchinson man, 86-year-old Harold E. Swanson, was found dead after he was pulled under a pull-behind mower on his tractor Friday morning at 4001 E. Ave. G.
Patrol Capt. Darrian Campbell said the Reno County Sheriffç—´ Office received the call at 9:51 a.m. about a white male who was unconscious under a Ford PowerMaster tractor. When deputies arrived at the accident scene, Swanson was found deceased. Hutchinson Fire and EMS were also called to the scene to assist.
From the details gathered at the accident, Campbell said the man left his home to mow a ditch and was the only person outside at the time.
Swanson had been mowing alongside the road on Avenue G, but he took a path that 努as not normal, Campbell said, when he steered through the tall grass, creating an opening that ended in the middle of the yard.
展e think maybe it痴 a possibility he was doing something with the mower at the time and we don稚 know if it was medical or what, Campbell said, adding it痴 possible he could have suffered from a heart attack, but officials were unable to determine the cause Friday.
Campbell also said there were cuts on Swansonç—´ body from the mower blades and it appeared he was dragged under it somehow. He said it would take a few weeks until autopsy reports confirm or narrow down the possibilities of the cause of death.
Arrangements are pending will Elliott Mortuary.
Swansonç—´ family were early settlers in Reno County and he was a well-known farmer in the Hutchinson area. Harold Swanson was featured in the March 2014 edition of Kansas Agland and the summer 2014 Hutchinson Magazine. He was married to wife Donna with three children and his grandson Matt has taken over the family farm.
Man who went to cut grass in ditch found dead under mower - The Hutchinson News: Local/State News
