A tragic incident has claimed the life of a winemaker who was fatally injured by his grape press just days before his 45th birthday. Matteo Forner, aged 44, was caught inside the press while cleaning it at approximately 7:45 p.m. on October 10. Reports suggest that Matteo suffered a broken neck and passed away instantly.
The heartbreaking event occurred at a winery established by Matteo’s family, where his father, Lino, is said to have witnessed the tragic accident. Both Matteo and Lino believed the machine was inactive at the time of the incident, but it was accidentally restarted following a temporary power outage.
Emergency responders, including firefighters and medical personnel, arrived at the scene and confirmed Matteo’s death. His body was later transported to the Castelfranco Veneto mortuary. Matteo, who was well-known in the Grappa region, was set to mark his 45th birthday soon. He had recently been elected to the city council for the Castelcucco Nuova party.
Mayor Paolo Mares expressed his condolences to Matteo’s family, describing him as a dear friend and a dedicated individual. Matteo’s work ethic and contributions to the winery were also highlighted by Mares, who emphasized the loss felt by the community due to Matteo’s passing.
The tragedy took place at the Pat del Colmél winery in the Montello Colli Asolani sub-region of Treviso, Veneto. The winery, owned by the Forner family since 1875, has been passed down through generations and was led by Matteo in recent years. Matteo is survived by his parents, his teenage son, and his siblings.