Columbus, NY (Oct. 10, 2026) – New York State Police at Norwich say Donald G. Campbell, 70, of Sherburne, was seriously injured in a farm tractor crash in Columbus.
Troopers responded at approximately 6:32 p.m. on October 10 to Granville Hill Hardscrabble Road for a crash involving a farm tractor and hay wagon.
Investigators determined that Campbell was operating a 2000 Kubota farm tractor pulling a hay wagon carrying 12 people ranging in age from 3 to 62.
The tractor and hay wagon were traveling eastbound down a hill when they began gaining momentum, State Police said. Campbell attempted to brake, causing the tractor’s wheels to lock. The tractor and hay wagon began skidding across the dirt roadway before the tractor jackknifed and the hay wagon detached.
The tractor rolled on its side, ejecting Campbell from the driver’s seat, and he became trapped underneath it. The hay wagon also rolled onto its side, ejecting a 9-year-old male and a 47-year-old female. Both sustained minor injuries and were not transported to a hospital.
Campbell was transported by Sherburne EMS to Wynn Hospital in Utica with serious injuries to his head and arm. His arm injuries ultimately resulted in the amputation of his hand while at the hospital.
The investigation remains ongoing.
This is a developing story. Details may change as the investigation continues.
Key Legal Points After a Tractor and Hay Wagon Crash in Columbus, NY
Crashes involving farm equipment raise questions that ordinary car crashes do not, and the State Police investigation is still open.
- Who may be liable: The owner and operator of the tractor and wagon are the starting point. A manufacturer or repair shop may also be responsible if the brakes, hitch, or wagon failed, and a property owner or event host may be responsible if one was involved.
- How fault is decided: Investigators compare the loaded wagon’s weight with the tractor’s braking. They also look at the hill, the dirt surface, the hitch, and maintenance records. No cause has been announced.
- If fault is shared: New York reduces recovery by a claimant’s own share of fault. The 2026 motor vehicle rule (CPLR § 1411(b)) can bar recovery, while pure comparative fault (CPLR § 1411) only reduces it. Which applies to farm equipment depends on how it is classified.
- Insurance that may apply: Farm liability, homeowner, umbrella, or commercial policies may apply, depending on who owned the equipment and why people were aboard the wagon. Policies can limit coverage for farm equipment, so each one is read closely.
- What a claim can cover: Medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. When an injury is permanent, such as the loss of a hand, a claim can also include future surgeries, rehabilitation, prosthetics, and lost earning capacity.
- Deadlines: New York generally gives three years from the crash to file a personal injury claim (CPLR § 214), which puts the deadline at October 10, 2029. For a child hurt in the crash, the clock generally does not start until age 18 (CPLR § 208).
- Government notice: If a town, county, or other agency is responsible for the road, a notice of claim is generally due within 90 days, which puts that deadline at January 8, 2027. The source does not say who maintains the road, and municipalities often must have had prior written notice of a defect.
How Stanley Law Helps After a Farm Tractor Accident in Upstate New York
After a serious injury, families end up juggling hospital bills, insurer calls, and missed work all at once. Stanley Law Offices takes the paperwork and the phone calls off your plate so you can focus on recovery.
Our Upstate New York personal injury attorneys start by investigating the crash itself, including the equipment, the road, and the insurance policies involved. We then value the full claim, including future care. Finally, we negotiate with the insurers and, if they will not offer fair terms, take the case to court.
The firm’s attorneys bring more than 90 years of combined legal experience to injury claims, led by founder Joe Stanley. Clients pay nothing unless we recover compensation.
Anyone hurt on farm equipment in Chenango County should know what Stanley Law Offices has behind it before choosing who handles an injury claim:
- Serving Upstate New York families for 45+ years
- Joe Stanley, Board Certified in Civil Trial Practice by the American Board of Trial Advocacy
- Super Lawyers recognition for 18+ consecutive years
- 4.7-star rating across 900+ verified reviews
- Offices in Syracuse, Binghamton, Rochester, Watertown, Oneonta, and Montrose, PA
- Available 24/7
- No recovery, no fee
If it is easier to talk in person, our Oneonta office at 166 N Main St, Oneonta, NY 13820 is the closest to Columbus. Call 888-997-3889 to get a free consultation with us.
