Woman Killed in 'Freak' Lawnmower Accident
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A woman was killed while walking to work Wednesday after she was struck in the head by a flying piece of steel in a freak lawnmowing accident in north Queensland, Australia.
The 42-year-old was walking along a path in Townsville, just after 8 a.m. local time when she was hit by the piece of pipe, the Townsville Bulletin reported.
It is thought that a slasher, a tool used to clear bushes and grassland, being towed by a small tractor ran over the pipe, which had been hidden in long grass.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The tractor was mowing a vacant block next to a Liquor Land bottle store and was believed to be operated by a private contractor.
An ambulance was called at 8:12 a.m. but the woman died instantly.
It was initially thought a mower blade caused the fatal injuries.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A distraught witness described the tragic event as a "freak accident."