Storm Desmond: Farmer has lucky escape from tractor

Co Clare man Donal Harte became trapped in vehicle after river burst its banks

Donal Harte became trapped in his tractor after it turned over on a flooded road at Erinagh near the village of Feakle in the east Co Clare. Photograph:  Eamon Ward.
Donal Harte became trapped in his tractor after it turned over on a flooded road at Erinagh near the village of Feakle in the east Co Clare. Photograph: Eamon Ward.

A Co Clare farmer had a lucky escape from the floods brought about by Storm Desmond on Saturday.

Donal Harte became trapped in his tractor after it turned over along a flooded road at Erinagh near the village of Feakle in the east of the county.

The father of four was travelling on a country road that was under water after a local river burst its banks.

As he was driving he misjudged the path of the submerged road and his tractor ended up in a ditch.

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His twin brother, Michael, said Donal was unable to get out of the tractor and “could have died” only for a farmer passing in a jeep coming to his aid.

“ He was shaken up by the whole thing,” Michael said of his brother.

Gordon Deegan

Gordon Deegan

Gordon Deegan is a contributor to The Irish Times