Brazilian 'Mr Potato' farmer is crushed to death by one tonne bag of spuds

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 06:31 EDT, 10 September 2026 | Updated: 06:31 EDT, 10 September 2026 A Brazilian vegetable farmer has died after being crushed by a tonne of potatoes just one day after celebrating his birthday.Nivaldo Magagnin, 63, who was known locally as 'Mr Potato', died in southern Santa Catarina, Brazil, at around 8.20am on Wednesday, September 9.Nivaldo was at his family's potato trading and processing business when a large bulk bag containing nearly a tonne of potatoes fell on top of him.Rescuers found Nivaldo pinned to the ground beneath the load.He had no apparent external injuries, while firefighters confirmed that he had died at the scene.According to the Military Fire Brigade of Santa Catarina, the bag had been suspended around two metres above the ground when the steel cable supporting it broke, sending the load crashing down onto Nivaldo.A witness told police that workers had been helping with the potato processing when they heard a loud bang and found Nivaldo on the ground beneath the bag.Employees and family members rushed to help and attempted to remove the load before emergency services arrived.Nivaldo was so well known locally as 'Nivaldo da Batata', literally meaning 'Nivaldo of the Potato' that he even used the nickname when he stood for election to the municipal council in 2024. A Brazilian vegetable farmer has died after being crushed by a tonne of potatoes just one day after celebrating his birthday Nivaldo Magagnin, 63, who was known locally as Mr Potato, died in southern Santa Catarina, Brazil, at around 8.20am on Wednesday, September 9He won 437 votes and became a councillor for Treze de Maio, while continuing to run the family business.Nivaldo was born in neighbouring Pedras Grandes, was married and had a daughter, Mirieli Magagnin, who had also served as a councillor in Treze de Maio.His death prompted the town hall to declare three days of official mourning, while the municipal council paid tribute to his work in the community.The council said in a statement: 'The councillor Nivaldo leaves a legacy of dedication and work provided to our municipality.'His daughter also paid tribute to her father on social media, writing: 'Goodbye, my best friend.'The funeral was due to take place at the Pedrinho Silvestre Marcon Community Centre in Treze de Maio, followed by a funeral Mass at 11am at the Santa Cruz Community Church and burial at the local cemetery.Treze de Maio police opened an investigation into the circumstances of the death, with the case initially being treated as a workplace accident.A post-mortem examination and forensic examination of the equipment used to move the load were due to be carried out to help establish the precise cause of death and how the accident occurred.