HANNA, Ind. — A freak accident involving a farm tractor led to a tragic death – and although rare, such accidents are not uncommon, especially with older tractors when owners try starting them from the ground.

Kenneth Bailey, 78, was found dead Jan. 20 on his three-acre residential parcel in northern Indiana east of Hanna, by his ex-wife who had gone there after not being able to reach him for two days. It was determined Bailey had suffocated from dirt thrown from one of the spinning back tires plugging up his nostrils and mouth, while on the ground pinned by his antique farm tractor.

“It was a horrible death,” said La Porte County Police Capt. Mike Kellems.

La Porte County Coroner John Sullivan said it appears Bailey was spraying ether, commonly known as starting fluid, into the intake of his farm tractor to help the engine fire. When the engine started, the tractor was still in gear, running over Bailey, who wound up pinned between the back tire and drag box attached to the back end of the tractor.

Police said Bailey was dragged by the tractor as it traveled 200 feet and struck a tree, coming to a stop. The tree kept the tractor from moving forward, but the tires kept spinning in the dirt and Bailey’s face was just inches from one of the back tires, said Sullivan.

Bailey was unable to breathe after dirt plugged his nostrils and mouth. His arms were not pinned, but perhaps because of his age he was not able to shield his face from the dirt adequately with his hands, said Sullivan. “The whole thing is just a shame,” he said.

Kellems said Bailey used the small farm tractor to do work on his land. Since there are no other homes nearby, he said nobody would have heard any calls for help unless there was a motorist or some other person who happened to be nearby.

Bill Field, a professor of agricultural and biological engineering at Purdue University, said such accidents are sadly not uncommon in older tractors having difficulty starting, or some other mechanical issue. Too often, he said farmers try starting tractors from the ground in front of the rear tire by turning the key or jumping the starter by placing a screwdriver or some other metal devices across the poles of the solenoid.

And, if they forget to put the tractor in neutral, it lunges or rolls forward, resulting often in serious or fatal injuries. “You just don’t have the opportunity to escape,” said Field.

He noted such accidents happen nationwide and he’s been involved in about a dozen “jump start” accidents involving tractors in the Midwest since the late 1970s.

“The best place to start a tractor is while sitting on the tractor seat away from that tire, but it is a practice that obviously continues to be followed because of this type of incident,” said Field.

He explained tractors have enough power for the wheels to keep spinning, especially in loose dirt, if left in drive after coming to stop. “If it’s left in low gear and the ground is soft enough, it’s just going to chug away and throw dirt.”

La Porte County Sheriff John Boyd said the tragedy is another reason people should routinely check on their neighbors, especially the elderly. People also need to stay within their limitations.

“Oftentimes our older citizens, who want to maintain their independence, take on tasks that can be too much, particularly in the winter season. Being a good neighbor and checking on each other from time to time can help us all avoid tragedies,” Boyd said.