A CORONER has paid tribute to an “extraordinary” 82-year-old retired farmer who managed to alert a neighbour and make his way back to his armchair after being crushed by a three-ton tractor.

Mervyn Francis, of Penrosser farm, Llanrhystud, died at Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth, on 19 July this year, more than two months after he was run over by his own tractor.

At an inquest last week, Ceredigion Coroner Peter Brunton said that, on 16 May, Mr Francis had been out inspecting animals on his land, which he leased to other farmers, when he was run over by his red Massey Ferguson tractor.

Delivering a verdict of misadventure, Mr Brunton told the court that in all likelihood, Mr Francis had stopped to open a gate and that when he noticed his tractor start to roll towards him, he rushed to jump into the cab and stop it but slipped and was run over by the rear tyre of the tractor.

In an effort which Mr Brunton described as “extraordinary”, Mr Francis was able to apparently close the gate, climb into his tractor, drive to his neighbour’s house where he alerted him to what had happened before walking into his home and resting in his armchair.

See this week’s south editions for the full story, in shops and online tomorrow