Tractor overturns in Diano d'Alba vineyard, killing 22-year-old Lucia Casavecchia

The incident

On the morning of Friday, 14 August, emergency services were called to a vineyard in the Valle Talloria fraction of Diano d'Alba, in the province of Cuneo. The alarm was raised shortly after 9 AM. A tractor had overturned among the vine rows along via Santa Croce, crushing Lucia Casavecchia, a 22-year-old who was working at the family agricultural business. The accident occurred on the eve of Ferragosto, one of Italy's principal public holidays. Despite the rapid response of the 118 emergency medical service, firefighters from Alba, and carabinieri from Diano d'Alba, there was nothing that could be done for the young woman. The tractor was being driven by a relative of the victim, identified by multiple sources as her uncle. All rescue attempts proved futile. Investigators are examining two possible causes of the overturn: the slope of the terrain between the vine rows, or an incorrect maneuver by the driver. Firefighters are conducting surveys of the scene, and technicians from Spresal, the workplace prevention and safety service of the local health authority Asl Cn2, are on site to help reconstruct the circumstances.

The victim and her family

Lucia Casavecchia had recently graduated from the Politecnico di Torino. She was helping out occasionally at the family wine estate, Cantina Casavecchia, a century-old producer in the Langhe. The Casavecchias are one of the longstanding families of Diano d'Alba viticulture and have worked in the Langhe for more than a century. The business is managed by her brothers Marco, an agronomist, and Luca, an enologist, together with their father Sergio, also an enologist. The estate covers ten hectares of vineyards. Her mother, Loredana, works at the municipal office. The family is described as very well known in the town. Lucia was known in the community not only for her family's prominence but for her own civic engagement. She was the youngest volunteer in the municipal civil protection group and was active in parish activities. She participated in the life of the local parish and had chosen to dedicate part of her time and energy to serving others.

Community response

Mayor Paolo Olivero went to the scene of the accident and conveyed the condolences of the municipal administration and the town to the family. The municipality issued a statement remembering in particular the young woman's commitment to volunteering.

“Despite her young age, she had already chosen to devote part of her time and energy to the service of others and the community.”

Parish priest don Valerio Pennasso described the Casavecchia family's longstanding role in the town, recalling how they have always contributed to community life.

“It is a family that is very present overall, at various levels and in the various activities that take place.”

He added that the Casavecchias have always given "a very important contribution not only of presence, but also of sensitivity, attention and availability."