Parsonsburg man dies in Laurel farming accident

A Friday afternoon farming accident ultimately led the death of a 61-year-old Parsonsburg man, according to Delaware State Police.

We’re told around 2:30 p.m., a man was operating a tractor on a field in Laurel, near Whitesville Road. Attached to the back of the tractor was a “Bale Bandit”, a piece of equipment that bands up to 20 bales together before discharging them as one block. Police say the man found an error with the machine and called on his 27-year-old son for help. After apparently solving the issue, we’re told the man’s son went back into the tractor and notified his father he would be turning the machine back on. Troopers say as the machine was turned back on, the son heard his father screaming as he became trapped inside the machine.

Police say an investigation revealed that the father had possibly observed a broken band inside the machine and was attempting to remove it as the machine was turned on. We’re told he 61-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene from multiple injures.

DSP say this investigation is ongoing and no foul play is suspected.