Vet’s Close Call Promotes Safety First
Veterinarian Eric Knock has recovered from severe injuries sustained in a farm-related accident, significantly influencing his perspective on on-farm safety.
In September 2022, Knock was assisting on a farm when an accident occurred involving livestock handling equipment. After he finished treating an animal, Knock stood near the chute when the squeeze gate unexpectedly released, causing his head to become trapped between the chute and the gate mechanism.
Although he survived, Knock sustained severe head injuries and now shares his story publicly to highlight the importance of safety awareness.
His experience is featured on the Telling the Story Project website, a platform dedicated to raising awareness about agricultural safety through firsthand accounts. The project, supported by multiple agricultural safety organizations funded by the National Institute for
Knock’s injuries included multiple skull fractures, brain bleeding, nerve damage to one eye, and significant injury to his ear, which eventually required surgical intervention. Although Knock never lost consciousness during the incident, he does not remember the event clearly or his emergency airlift to the hospital.
“I didn’t need surgery, but I had several skull fractures,” said Knock. “Doctors used words like ‘extensive’ and ‘many.’ None of the fractures were displaced. If that had happened, the outcome could have been much more serious.”
Following nearly two weeks in the hospital, Knock faced months of recovery and rehabilitation. Since his accident, he has adopted a more cautious approach, carefully assessing his surroundings before engaging in farm-related tasks.
“I’m more aware of where everyone is while we’re working,” said Knock. “I pay close attention to pinch points on equipment, so I recognize the hazards to myself and fellow workers. We all know there are dangers when we work around large animals and equipment. This incident has intensified our understanding of what can happen.”
The Telling the Story Project encourages individuals working in agriculture to adopt safer practices through impactful personal stories. “By sharing these personal stories, we hope to encourage farmers, farm workers, and ranchers to adopt safer practices in their work,” said Ellen Duysen, project team member, Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health.
Photo Credit: Telling The Story Project