A Sunday afternoon hayride turned into a terrifying emergency in upstate New York when a tractor hauling a wagon packed mostly with children lost control, overturned and sent riders tumbling from the trailer.
Three people were reported in critical condition following the Oct. 4 crash in Wellsburg, a small Chemung County community just north of the Pennsylvania border.
The wreck happened around 4:38 p.m. near Comfort Hill Road and Berwick Turnpike as a John Deere tractor pulled a wagon carrying about 19 people as part of a German Baptist community youth gathering.
Chemung County Sheriff Bill Schrom said the tractor was traveling down the hill at a high rate of speed when the driver approached the intersection and attempted to turn.
The tractor rolled over and separated from the wagon, which continued moving a short distance. Riders were thrown from the trailer during the chaos.
The tractor driver was pinned beneath the machine and dragged for several yards before the tractor finally came to a stop against a tree, according to authorities.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene as first responders began evaluating the large number of riders involved.
Schrom said 14 people were treated at the scene or later made their own way to area hospitals. Five people were transported by ambulance, while one person was airlifted for emergency treatment.
Three people were reported in critical condition.
Because authorities have described patients who were treated at the scene, transported by ambulance and airlifted, early reports have differed over the precise total number considered injured. Officials have consistently said, however, that numerous people required medical attention and that three were critically hurt.
Most of those riding in the wagon were children, according to the sheriff.
The group was part of a German Baptist community that regularly gathers on Sundays. Schrom said the hayride began on Robinson Road following an afternoon youth gathering after church services.
Investigators are now trying to determine why the tractor apparently became uncontrollable while traveling downhill.
One potentially significant clue is already being examined.
Schrom said investigators found that at least one brake on the tractor appeared to be significantly burned or damaged, raising the possibility that a mechanical problem contributed to the crash.
However, authorities have not announced an official cause, and investigators will need to determine whether the suspected brake issue caused the tractor to accelerate out of control or whether other factors were involved.
The crash remains under investigation by the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office.
Wellsburg sits in southern New York near the Pennsylvania state line, roughly 10 miles southeast of Elmira.
The incident comes during the height of fall hayride season, when farms, churches and community groups across the country organize tractor-drawn outings. Sunday’s crash is likely to bring renewed attention to the condition and operation of tractors and wagons used to carry large groups of passengers.
Authorities had not publicly identified the critically injured victims as of Monday, Oct. 5.
Seeing the photograph shown, what caused the tractor to lose a rear wheel ? Or was losing the wheel the CAUSE of the accident ?
More information, PLEASE !