Tragic Combine Harvester Accident Leaves Farmer Legless: Who is Responsible for Criminal Breach of Duty?

In August 2023, a terrible combine harvester accident occurred in Hohen Luckow, resulting in the amputation of a 25-year-old farmer’s legs. The investigation into the incident is now being handled by the public prosecutor’s office, with a focus on determining whether any of the three individuals present at the time of the accident can be held responsible for a criminal breach of duty.

The accident happened while the farmer and his two colleagues were harvesting together in the field. The grain hopper of the combine harvester became blocked, leading to the decision to keep the machine running. Despite safety protocols, which would have shut off the machine if anyone got up from their seat, a young woman in control of the combine harvester remained seated and bypassed this mechanism. This resulted in tragedy when she pulled both legs of victim into the screw conveyor and caused them to be torn off.

Four months later, police were able to interview victim who confirmed that he was not pressured into pressing charges against those involved. He was saved by quick actions of his colleague who pressed emergency stop button to stop machine from causing further damage.

The emergency operation that followed involved top surgeons and their team who amputated both legs of young farmer to save his life. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to determine cause of accident and prevent future incidents like this from happening again.