Policeman dies in ploughing accident
Victim could operate heavy machinery
A 30-year-old police constable, with a passion for farming, died when he got caught under a mechanical plough at his Siġġiewi field on his day off yesterday.
Marvin Busuttil, who was married with a four-month-old daughter, went to the field, near Is-Salib tal-Għolja, early yesterday morning to spend the day doing what he loved – farming.
The police believe the accident occurred when he hit a rock as he was turning the plough. The impact would have pushed the machine onto his leg, police sources said, the blades then dragging him down and mangling him.
The police were informed about the incident at about 2 p.m.
His colleagues described him as a hardworking, kind man who went out of his way to help others. “He was an amazing guy.
The field was his hobby... He was always talking about going to the field... When he had free time he also loved painting and repairing police trucks,” a colleague said.
PC Busuttil, who lived in Pembroke, was stationed in the police garage and his job included driving large vehicles, among other things. He should have been back at work this morning.
PC Denis Agius said he was shocked to hear about the death of his friend who was able to handle and operate heavy machinery.
This was not the first fatal accident involving a plough. In July, 2007, a 72-year-old farmer and former police sergeant from Qala died in hospital following an accident while ploughing a field in the limits of his home town.
More recently, in December 2009, 79-year-old Louis Vella suffered internal injuries when he was crushed by a mechanical plough while reversing in his fields in Kerċem.
In September that year, farmer Mariano Tabone, 64, was injured when he was crushed by a similar plough after losing control of it and toppling into a field in Żebbuġ, Gozo.
A month later another farmer was not so lucky. Joseph Scicluna, 84, died when he ended up beneath the blades of a plough in a field in Luqa.
A magisterial inquiry into yesterday’s accident was held and police investigations continue.