Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
St. Peter, Minn. (AP)

MnDOT IDs worker whose backhoe was swept away

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Searching for backhoe operator
Rescue workers in an inflatable raft probe around the MnDOT backhoe that fell into swollen Seven Mile Creek along Highway 169 between Mankato and St. Peter, Minn. on Tuesday, March 22, 2011. Authorities are searching for the operator of a backhoe that fell into the Minnesota River while clearing ice jams between St. Peter and Mankato. The Minnesota Department of Transportation reports that a backhoe was "washed into the river." MnDOT spokeswoman Chris Krueger says the backhoe operator was clearing ice jams.
AP Photo/The Mankato Free Press, John Cross

Authorities say a backhoe operator is presumed dead after his machine was swept into the Minnesota River while clearing debris between St. Peter and Mankato.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation identifies the maintenance worker as Michael Struck, 39, a nine-year employee with the department.

MnDOT says Struck was clearing debris near Seven Mile Creek on Highway 169 when his backhoe apparently was pulled into the floodwaters.

WCCO-TV reports officials say currents are so dangerous, the dive team can't go into the river safely. But searchers will use boats to look in backwaters.

The Free Press of Mankato says the accident was reported just before noon Tuesday near Seven Mile Creek Park.

---

Information from: The Mankato Free Press

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Gallery
1 of 2
Searching for backhoe operator
Rescue workers in an inflatable raft probe around the MnDOT backhoe that fell into swollen Seven Mile Creek along Highway 169 between Mankato and St. Peter, Minn. on Tuesday, March 22, 2011. Authorities are searching for the operator of a backhoe that fell into the Minnesota River while clearing ice jams between St. Peter and Mankato. The Minnesota Department of Transportation reports that a backhoe was "washed into the river." MnDOT spokeswoman Chris Krueger says the backhoe operator was clearing ice jams.
AP Photo/The Mankato Free Press, John Cross
2 of 2
Search for MnDOT worker
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officers head out to search for a missing MnDOT worker in flooded Seven Mile Creek Park on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 near St. Peter, Minn.
AP Photo/The Mankato Free Press, John Cross