Crush asphyxia and ride-on lawn mowers

Abstract

Search of files at Forensic Science SA, Australia, over the past 20 years (1997-2016) revealed three cases of death due to crush asphyxia associated with the use of ride-on lawn mowers. (1) A 61-year-old man was trapped under a ride-on mower that had rolled over. Autopsy examination revealed congestion and petechial haemorrhages of the face and chest, and markings on the chest associated with underlying rib fractures. (2) A 78-year-old man was trapped under a ride-on mower that had also rolled over. Autopsy examination revealed petechial haemorrhages of the face and chest and markings on the chest. (3) A 72-year-old man was found wedged between a ride-on mower and a tree, with petechial haemorrhages of the face and chest, and markings on the front and back of the chest. These cases demonstrate a rare cause of crush asphyxia, often in older males in the domestic environment, which may arise from more than one mechanism.