Man dies after becoming trapped by the tractor he was driving near Beaworthy

Update: The deceased has now been formally identified as Kevin Vallance, 54, from the Okehampton area.

At around 5.50pm on Sunday 12 May 2013 police were notified of a single vehicle collision on the unclassified road between Chilla and Chilla Chapel Cross, near Halwill Junction in the Beaworthy area of North Devon.

A tractor towing an un-laden trailer had mounted a verge to its nearside and its nearside wheels had dropped into a drainage gulley between the verge and the hedge.

The tractor had been travelling towards Chilla from the direction of Halwill Junction.

The driver was ejected from the vehicle and became pinned by the tractor.  He was released by local residents who began first aid procedures including CPR.

The casualty was airlifted to Exeter hospital where he later died.  He was a 54 year old man from the Okehampton area.

The scene was dealt with by local police officers and officers from the Serious Collisions Investigation Unit.

Police are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen the tractor travelling in the area prior to the collision to contact them on 101 quoting log number 583 of 12 May 2013.