'Giant In New Jersey Agriculture' Killed In Tractor Accident: Cops

A 73-year-old who was considered a "giant in New Jersey agriculture" died Thursday after he was run over by a tractor on his farm, police said.

The accident happened around 2 p.m. on Thursday in Tabernacle while Anthony "Tony" Russo III was working in the fields of his family's Russo's Fruit & Vegetable Farm when the man was accidentally hit by the tractor, according to NBC Philadelphia.

Russo, who typically sold typically sold 100,000 cases of corn a year, was rushed to Virtua Hospital where he was later pronounced dead, according to 6abc.

The tractor, operated by Russo, was pulling seeding equipment when the accident occurred, State Police told 6abc.

The farmer was a former member was described both as a "pillar of the Tabernacle community" and a "giant in New Jersey agriculture," prompting Tabernacle Mayor Stephen Lee IV to tell The Burlington County Times: "It's a very sad day for their family and a very sad day for the entire community."

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