Tributes paid to farmer killed by combine harvester

TRIBUTES have been paid to farmer Michael Greaves, who died in a combine harvester accident.

The 54-year-old was working in a field off Pigeon Lane, Overbury, near Tewkesbury, when it happened.

It is thought he was trying to unblock the machine while cutting a field of weather-flattened oats at 4pm on Monday. A single man, Mr Greaves shared his home with his widowed mother, Anne, at Manor Farm in Conderton, near Tewkesbury.

It's the second time she has lost a son in a farming accident.

In June 1984, Neil Greaves died along with another man in a silo at Toddington.

Yesterday Mrs Greaves was being comforted by family members.

She said: "We are coping, but it is very sad. He was a good lad."

Michael Greaves was a lifetime tenant farmer and much-loved local character.

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of ambulance staff, nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead at the scene."

West Mercia police said a postmortem was due to be carried out today and that the Health and Safety Executive had been informed about the accident.

Mr Greaves' death has shocked the communities of Conderton and Overbury.

Neighbour and former farms' manager at Overbury, Andrew John, said: "He was the sort of guy you always felt better having talked to.

"He was a wonderful stockman, knowing an animal was sick before it even realised it itself."

Mike Pullin, who runs an agricultural engineering business in Bredon, added: "I'm devastated. I would see him two or three times a week.

"You couldn't have met a nicer bloke. It's horrendous. It's a great loss and very sad."

He added: "This type of accident is rare, thank goodness, but farms are dangerous places."

Mr Pullin said news of Mr Greaves' death had spread quickly and he had received phone calls from farmers, asking if there was anything they could do to help.

Mr Greaves' friends say he was devoted to his farming, following the traditions laid down by his family over three generations at Manor Farm.

He also leaves two sisters, Susan Burnham from Aston Somerville, near Evesham and Barbara Millist, who now lives in Australia.