Asphyxiation Likely Led To Traficant Tractor Death

A forensic pathologist says U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr.'s death appears to be linked to positional asphyxiation - his inability to breathe after a vintage tractor tipped over on him a week ago at his family farm. Dr. Joseph Ohr of the Mahoning County coroner's office said on Tuesday that an autopsy showed the 73-year-old Traficant did not suffer a heart attack or seizure and that he was told the former congressman had been in good health and spirits before the accident. Traficant died at a hospice on Saturday after being transferred from a hospital the day before. Ohr says he's on "pretty firm ground" with his diagnosis of positional asphyxiation. He says that similar things happen during car accidents. Ohr says Traficant received no crushing injuries.