Farmer hospitalized after being struck by ATV on his land

LEAMINGTON — A farmer is still in hospital with life-threatening injuries after allegedly being struck by an ATV on his own land in September, according to Essex County OPP.

The alleged assault occurred on Sept. 21 at 11:30 p.m. The farmer (whom police have not identified) confronted between four and six men driving ATVs through one of his fields on Mersea Road 5, northeast of Leamington. Police said he’d asked them to leave but they refused. The exchange went on, culminating in the farmer allegedly being struck by one ATV and the drivers of the ATVs allegedly damaged the farmer’s vehicle before fleeing the scene. The farmer was taken to hospital, where he remains, said police.

One of the ATVs might have been involved in a later collision with another vehicle along the same road, police said. As of Oct. 31, the investigation was ongoing.