A top Italian winemaker has been crushed to death while cleaning a grape press in his family’s cellar.
Matteo Forner, 44, was carrying out end-of-day cleaning when the machine suddenly activated, trapping his neck and killing him instantly.
The freak accident took place in Castelcucco, a small municipality in the province of Treviso in northern Italy, on Friday.
Emergency services rushed to the scene but paramedics were unable to save him.
The 44-year-old, a serving councillor, was the son of the owner of the Pat del Colmél winery and had his own 15-year-old son.
The machinery appeared to restart unexpectedly, though it remains unclear whether the cause was mechanical failure or human error.
Italian police officers, firefighters, and health inspectors have carried out investigations into the fatal accident.
According to initial reports, the machinery appeared to restart unexpectedly.
Matteo Forner, 44, was carrying out end-of-day cleaning when the machine suddenly activated, trapping his neck and killing him instantly
The 44-year-old, a serving councillor, was the son of the owner of the Pat del Colmél winery and had a 15-year-old son
But it remains unclear whether the cause was mechanical failure or human error.
The Treviso Public Prosecutor’s Office has opened an investigation into the incident on suspicion of manslaughter.
Forner, who was elected to the Castelcucco council in 2022, was widely known in the region for his efforts to preserve ancient grape varieties such as Recantina and Rabbiosa.
Castelcucco mayor Paolo Mares paid tribute to his ‘dear friend.
‘My world fell apart when I heard the news. Before being a city councilor, Matteo was a dear friend. He was kind and helpful, a tireless worker,’ he said.
‘I remember when some time ago, due to bad weather, I asked the councilors for help with a tree trunk that had fallen onto a road due to the rain.
He was the first to respond, and within twenty minutes the tree was gone.
‘Work-wise, he was a monster, and it was evident in the work he did at the winery. Today we lose a very precious person, and for the entire community as well.
‘The only thing I know, in the darkness of this tragedy, is that the Forner family is a strong family. It’s in their blood. And I’m sure the same is true for Matteo’s son.’
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Top Italian winemaker is crushed to death in his own grape press in freak accident at his family’s cellar
Dining and Cooking