Alvanley farmer’s miracle escape from mudslide

16:19, Mar 6 2008

by Paul Mannion, Chester Chronicle

A WAVE of mud and rocks carried a tractor through three fields with its driver trapped helplessly inside. James Fletcher was ploughing a potato field at Teuthill Farm, Alvanley, at around 12.30pm last Friday when the ground gave way around him. He was trapped at the wheel as his tractor was dragged on its side through three fields and only escaped when the tractor hit two trees, smashing the windows so he could jump free. James, 45, of Bates Lane, Helsby, said: “I got there at about 9am and this was my last run up the field. “The next thing I knew, I was still moving forward but I was going backwards as well. The tractor was still ploughing and I just thought I was getting stuck. Story continues ADVERTISEMENT “Then the ground opened up and spun the tractor around. It smashed me into an oak tree which knocked the tractor over onto its side. “I was trying to open the door but it was too high above me. I was frightened to death. “I hit another oak tree on the other side which righted the tractor. “At the last minute I saw the house and I thought: ‘It’s time to get off now’. “If I hadn’t got out that would have been it.” Full story in Friday’s Chronicle.

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