Vaux-en-Beaujolais harvest accident kills one and injures nine

An investigation is ongoing following a fatal accident during the grape harvest in Vaux-en-Beaujolais on Saturday, August 22. A grape bin pulled by a tractor overturned on a steep incline, resulting in the death of a 17-year-old grape picker.

Nine other seasonal workers were injured in the accident. The Villefranche-sur-Saône prosecutor's office confirmed on Monday that all nine injured individuals are now “hors de danger” (out of danger).

The accident occurred while the convoy was traveling to a vineyard plot for the Domaine du Cret des Paons. Preliminary information suggests the tractor began moving in reverse for unknown reasons, though it is unclear if this was due to a technical failure or human error. The tractor and bin are scheduled for expert examination. The driver was taken into custody for questioning, and subsequent alcohol and toxicology tests returned negative results. An investigation has been opened for “homicide involontaire aggravé” (aggravated involuntary homicide) and “blessures involontaires aggravées” (aggravated involuntary injury).