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On 9 January 2006, Ben and Elaine’s outlook of farming and life changed forever.
Ben said: “It was a Monday morning. I was working with a vacuum tanker. There was a new PTO shaft and cover, but the underside on the vacuum pump was exposed. My coat got caught in the PTO and I was pulled in. The tractor stalled. I can’t explain why, but luckily it did. The PTO was hydraulically engaged, which allowed me to release myself. I realised my arm was dislocated and badly injured. I always have my mobile phone on me, so I called for help. I collapsed in the yard as they arrived. The emergency services spent 30 minutes stabilising me before I was taken to CUH by ambulance.
“I remember lying on the bed following six hours of surgery. My arm was by my side, but my brain was telling me it was across my chest. I suffered extensive nerve damage which left my arm immobile. The recovery process took two years of physio and hydrotherapy. I regained movement in my arm to an extent, but the recovery plateaued. We can’t say enough for the staff in CUH.
“After the incident, we changed our outlook as a family. We began to focus on life and our reasons for doing things. We have two children, Jacqui who was five and Harry who was three, and I did think about what would have happened if I’d been killed.”
Family life and farm outlook
Elaine was working off-farm at the time of the accident but has since gone full-time farming with Ben. “It’s not a matter of go, go, go any more. We prioritise family time. Since simplifying the way we farm. we have achieved more by focusing our efforts. Everything done is to save time or money which does make things safer,” said Elaine.
Having to take time out is fine in a 9-to-5 job, but farming is different and if there is no plan in place there can be a lot of pressure in the aftermath of an accident
“Ben was always a stickler for safety even before the accident. What changed was our mindset and planning.
“We now have a plan in place so that if something was to happen myself or Elaine, there are several professional people who know the running of the farm business. It gives us peace of mind. By including people in the running of our farm, they have saved us money and made us money.”
Mental health
Ben said: “There were two main implications of the accident, both physical and mental. The December after the accident I couldn’t sleep, I was worrying for no reason. I was sceptical about depression before, but now I know that it is very real and the best thing to do is to talk. I was lucky to have my wife. I wouldn’t have made one-tenth of the recovery I did if it wasn’t for Elaine.
“People are pushing themselves so far and all it takes is a broken arm or leg. Having to take time out is fine in a 9-to-5 job, but farming is different and if there is no plan in place there can be a lot of pressure in the aftermath of an accident. There needs to be a better understanding of the implications of a farm accident.”
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