Primghar, Iowa — A Primghar farmer went to the hospital, and more than $175,000 damage was done to a tractor, planter and bridge rail in a mishap Monday afternoon near Primghar.
According to the O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office, the mishap occurred around 3:30 Monday afternoon when a 2012 John Deere tractor, driven by 63-year-old Darryl Triplett of Primghar was pulling a John Deere planter eastbound on gravel road 440th Street. Triplett reportedly told deputies that he was approaching a narrow bridge and noticed at the last minute that the wings on the planter were not completely folded on one side. Triplett reportedly tried to stop quickly, but deputies say he appears to have only applied the left brake pedal. The tractor jerked to the left while on top of the bridge, striking the guard rail and went off the bridge, colliding with the ground on the riverbed.
According to authorities, Triplett drove himself to Mercy One in Primghar for what are described as minor injuries.
Deputies estimate damage to Triplett’s tractor at $125,000, with another $50,000 damage to the planter, and $2,000 damage to the bridge rail.
