Farm accident (not here)

A young farmer in the next county was killed Monday when he became entangled with the power-take-off of his tractor.

We don't know yet who it was, but have seen enough and been through enough to have hearts heavy with sympathy.

The PTO spins at thousands of time per minute to operate equipment such as feed grinders, hay mowers or balers, or pumps of various sorts. There are many applications. At this time of year he was probably grinding feed for cattle or perhaps pumping manure out of a lagoon or slurry-store. Clothing entangled in the PTO will whip you to the ground or perhaps into the machinery.

New machinery put guards, like sleeves, over the PTO and various shafts. But farmers get tired and get in a hurry and sometimes take the shields off, sometimes step over when they could walk around.

I've always been thankful that DH and Grandpa are cautious in such situations. DS1 seemed a little too reckless until he saw safety films including accident-scene videos in the 4-H tractor-driving project. That settled his hash more than scolding from us.

But as for the family who lost their husband and father we have a great deal of sympathy. When DH was in a minor accident a few years ago it seemed like the end of the world.

It's a warning for all of us. For me to keep clothing mended and remind the kids and all not to wear loose floppy clothes. All-cotton clothes will tear but synthetics will make a rope that hauls the victim in. For the men to stay alert and not be in such an all-fired hurry that someone's in an accident. For all of us -- to keep praying for the family who lost their loved one.