Family speaks out after their loved one died in a farming accident

CHICKASHA, Okla._A local family is speaking out about their loved one who was killed in a farming accident last week.

56-year-old Floyd Etter Jr. was helping a friend on his farm between Cyril and Fletcher when he was accidentally run over by a combine while he was testing the moisture in the ground. Etter's family said he was a man who was always looking to help others.

Etter's sister says her brother was the type of person who would go out of his way to help anyone, but especially his family. And he often didn't take anything in exchange. His passion was doing good for others. Etter's sister, Valerie Keyees, says they called their brother junior. She says he started helping his uncle on the farm at a young age, and did a little bit of everything.

"We were shocked that he was gone that fast. But, we just felt like he was at peace because he had an ulcer and his back was hurting, and he didn't hurt no more," said Keyees.

Etter died in a farming accident, working in a field like he had done many times before. The accident underscores just potentially how dangerous that work can be.

"Unfortunately, it happens too often and it's very important obviously. And we can even be held responsible if we don't explain everything like it should be explained to them," said New Holland General Manager Joni Philpot.

Philpot says basic safety instructions are told to all farmers before they get their new equipment. And while farming is a lot of people's livelihood, it is very dangerous and sometimes people take that for granted.

"Because they do it everyday, they don't think about it or do things without thinking. And especially for kids or for somebody that's not used to being in it and is maybe just helping a neighbor or something for the weekend," said Philpot.

Philpot says this time of year is busy for farmers, trying to utilize every daylight hour.

"Everybody should just slow down and think about what you're doing, when you're doing it and how it's being done and who is involved," said Philpot.

Keyees says junior died doing what he loved to do...helping others and she will always remember him as a hard worker.

"It didn't matter the wage, it was that he was helping others or doing one of the things he liked to do, stay busy, be working and helping somebody whether he made something or not," said Keyees.

Philpot says everyone can do a better job of teaching and refreshing themselves on safety while working on and around farm equipment.