Retired Aberdeen farmer injured as tractor plunges into ditch

A RETIRED farmer was taken to hospital today after his tractor went off the road and landed in a ditch.

Robert Scott, 78, was treated by paramedics after the farm vehicle left the road on a bend.

Police, ambulance and fire crews were called to the scene at the B9179 Lyne of Skene to Skene road, near Westhill, around 8.30am.

The tractor ended up on its side in a 6ft deep ditch.

Mr Scott’s nephew said his uncle, of Drum Stone Farm, met a neighbour’s 4x4 coming towards him on the tight rural road.

Graham Scott, 52, a farm worker at Millbuie Farm, described how his uncle then went off the road.

He said: “He had been on his way down to our farm in his tractor.

“He is retired now but often comes down to help out with odd jobs.

“He had come around the corner, seen the car and then ended up in the ditch. There wasn't a collision.”

Fire crews were scrambled to the scene to deal with the overturned tractor after it was reported the driver was trapped.

A Grampian Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: “We attended the scene after reports of a man trapped inside his tractor.

“When we arrived there was one male casualty who was being treated by paramedics – he was no longer trapped.”

Mr Scott was taken by ambulance to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. His 74-year-old wife Ena was with him at the hospital.

A Grampian Police spokeswoman said: “His injuries don’t appear to be serious.”

shind@ajl.co.uk