Melvin J Peters

Body of local farmer found near his tractor

Bill Wilson bwilson@thekansan.com

Newton Kansan

A longtime area farmer died Monday night after he was discovered near a burning tractor.

Melvin J. Peters, 77, of rural Harvey County, died Monday night at Newton Medical Center from an unspecified ailment, Harvey County Sheriff's Deputy Gary Crittenden said. He had been scheduled for angioplasty therapy Wednesday, friends and family told sheriff's officers.

The tractor fire was discovered at 7:05 p.m. Monday near his home at Southeast 84th and South Oliver by a passer-by, Judd Brackeen. He saw black smoke from the fire as he drove down a nearby road. Brackeen found the burning tractor and was attempting to disconnect an implement attached to it when he discovered Peters on the ground.

There was no indication of how the fire was started, the sheriff's department said.

Brackeen performed CPR until officers and paramedics from Newton EMS arrived on the scene. Crittenden reported he was unable to locate a pulse on the left side of Peters' neck when he arrived.

Peters was taken to Newton Medical Center by Newton EMS, where he died.