Elderly Farm Worker Dies After Falling Into Vat Of Boiling Lard In Freak Farm Accident

A 70-year-old farm worker has died after falling into a vat of boiling lard while preparing the fat from a slaughtered pig at his farm.

The freak accident happened in the rural community of Linha Ervalzinho, near São João do Oeste in the western part of Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil, at around 11.30am on 26 August.

Neldo Kloh was reportedly finishing the process of frying down the pig fat when he fell onto the container holding the boiling lard.

He suffered second-degree burns to around 45 per cent of his body.

Neldo's wife was also burned while trying to help her husband following the accident, but managed to take him by car to the Santa Casa Rural Hospital in São João do Oeste.

She was treated for less serious injuries and later discharged.

Neldo was subsequently transferred by ambulance to the Terezinha Gaio Basso Regional Hospital in the nearby city of São Miguel do Oeste because of the severity of his injuries.

Doctors intubated him, but his condition remained unstable and he died at around 10.30pm, approximately 11 hours after the accident.

Neldo's funeral wake began at the Sociedade de Linha Ervalzinho at 2.30pm the following day, with a farewell ceremony at the local church before his burial in the community cemetery.

His son Junior Kloh shared a Bible verse online following his father's death, saying: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

Daughter Gabi Kloh wrote: "I will love you forever, Daddy. Look after us from up there."

Neldo's nephew and godson Laercio Klob said his uncle had spent his life carrying out work involving the slaughter and preparation of animals.

He wrote: "I can't believe this loss. My heart is once again in mourning. Eternal Uncle Neldo. I love you and always will."

(Newsflash)