ELWOOD — A 55-year-old Summitville man died Thursday morning in a farming accident in northern Madison County.
Melvin L. Matchett was pinned between a tractor and barn while working with his father, Paul, on the family farm at 4431 W. 1725 North, about eight miles northeast of Elwood.
The incident was reported to the Madison County Sheriff’s Department at 10:18 a.m.
Matchett and his father were putting siding on a barn when the accident occurred, according to Marium Treadways, Matchett’s cousin.
Madison County Coroner Ned Dunnichay said Matchett was in the front end bucket loader of the tractor while performing the work.
Madison County Sheriff Ron Richardson confirmed that report, adding that he believed Matchett was standing on top of a wooden platform on the tractor before when he became trapped between the two objects.
Matchett was confirmed dead on the scene at 11 a.m., Dunnichay said. He said an official cause of death will be determined during an autopsy Friday at Ball Memorial Hospital.
Treadways described her cousin as being more like a brother, and that losing him was a “deep loss” for her and her husband, Jim. Since Matchett’s retirement a few years ago, she said, it was customary for him to lend a helping hand at his parents’ farm.
“He and his dad spent every day fixing up things around the farm; that was just kind of their routine,” Treadways said. “He was learning the ins and outs of farming, and trying to learn as much as he could while his father still had the health to teach him.”
She said the free time since retirement also afforded him the opportunity to take trips with the family, often tubing at Lake Tippecanoe in northern Indiana.
Since his only sibling, Alan, died from heart problems a few years ago, Treadways said the bond between she and Matchett only grew stronger as they continued to take care of each other over the years.
“We’re going to miss him a lot - (Jim and I) were very close to him because we’re all about the same age,” Treadways said. “He was just helpful to us, and I think we were helpful toward him.”
The family is expected to meet with representatives from the Noffze Funeral Home in Alexandria to make arrangements.
Local News
9:42 p.m.: Farmer killed in tractor accident
- Local News
-
-
Anderson man dies at Monroe Reservoir; 3 others arrested
Memorial Day weekend took a tragic turn Saturday evening as an Anderson man visiting Monroe Reservoir died. Three other Anderson men were arrested later that day following the death of Matthew Hosier, 29.
-
Getting Together: Silence not golden for this library program
Certain rules govern almost all libraries: be quiet, don’t mar the pages and absolutely no food or drinks on the premises. But a small group of patrons wait until after hours, lock themselves in the back room of the Alexandria-Monroe Public Library, eat popcorn, drink soda and loudly scoff as they watch bad movies.
-
Veteran receiving Bronze Star 68 years late
An Army veteran will be awarded a Bronze Star on Memorial Day — 68 years after he was originally supposed to receive it.
-
Memorial Day activities set
For Memorial Day weekend, here’s a list of activities to participate in.
-
Arrest Log: May 28
Arrests made by Madison County law enforcement on Saturday, based on Madison County Jail records. Charges are recommended by arresting officers, but are not final until the Madison County prosecutor reviews the case and files official charges.
- Conservation officers arrest Anderson boater on alcohol charge
-
What's Where: May 28
Local activities are scheduled Monday.
-
Handicapped murder convict alleges prison discrimination
Since October 2006, Donald Lock has been confined to a wheel chair because of a degenerative bone disease. He has spent time at correctional facilities throughout the state, but it wasn’t until he was transferred to Pendleton earlier this year that he said he felt his disability was ignored.
-
Arrest log: May 27
The following arrest log appears in the Sunday edition of The Herald Bulletin.
-
Parents at Little League say coach took money
Parents of the North Anderson Little League filed a complaint with police against a former coach who they say stole fundraiser money.
- More Local News Headlines
-
