A tragic accident in Fort Wayne, Indiana, has claimed the life of a 69-year-old woman after her riding lawn mower overturned on a steep embankment. The Allen County Coroner confirmed Sue Method died from asphyxiation when the machine pinned her during Wednesday’s incident. Authorities remind operators to avoid dangerous slopes as federal safety guidelines warn against mowing inclines over 15 degrees. The coroner ruled the death accidental.
Coroner Rules Death as Accidental
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) — A 69-year-old Fort Wayne woman died Wednesday after her riding lawn mower overturned on a steep embankment, trapping her beneath the machine, according to the Allen County Coroner’s Office.
Sue Method was operating the mower when it traveled down the slope, rolled over, and pinned her underneath, authorities said. Emergency responders pronounced her dead at the scene.
Cause of Death Determined
The coroner’s report, released Friday, stated that Method died from asphyxia due to chest compression. The death was officially ruled an accident.
Safety Warnings for Riding Mower Use
Federal safety officials advise against using riding lawn mowers on slopes steeper than 15 degrees due to the risk of rollover accidents. This incident serves as a tragic reminder of the potential dangers associated with operating such equipment on uneven terrain. No further details about the accident were immediately released.
