Gympie farmer, 95, who spent days trapped in mud, dies in hospital

A 95-year-old Queensland farmer has died in hospital after being trapped in mud for two days after falling when his tractor became bogged.

Nov 15, 2022, updated May 22, 2025
An elderly man trapped in mud on his Gympie farm has passed away Photo: ABC
An elderly man trapped in mud on his Gympie farm has passed away Photo: ABC

Tom Killen had been working near a dam at his property at Carters Ridge, south of Gympie in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

Paramedics were called last Tuesday after concerned neighbours found the farmer stuck in the mud alongside the tractor.

“The tractor was bogged quite severely next to a dam,” ambulance operations Supervisor Shaun Bright said.

“It appears that the gentleman has tried to step off the tractor and has had some sort of medical episode which has left him out in the weather for several days.”

Killen was treated for hypothermia and dehydration and taken in a serious condition to Sunshine Coast Hospital where he died over the weekend.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.

Archive