A state Transportation Department backhoe and its operator were washed away during work at a creek near the the Minnesota River north of Mankato, and the man is presumed dead, authorities said.
Backhoe and operator washed away
March 23, 2011 at 2:52AM
A traffic alert from the Minnesota Department of Transportation says that Hwy. 169 in the area, between St. Peter and Mankato, is closed in both directions while "rescue and recovery work is in progress."
The backhoe operator -- Michael J. Struck, 39, a nine-year employee withMnDOT -- "is still missing and they are actively searching" for the worker, said State Patrol Lt. Eric Roeske.
The man was clearing a culvert in Seven Mile Creek, near where it flows into the river, when he and the backhoe went into the water shortly before noon, Roeske said.
The piece of machinery has been recovered.
Roeske said that it's his understanding that the river is "roiling quite significantly."
Many parts of the state, including southern Minnesota, are in the midst of preparations in the event of major flooding in the coming days and weeks.
MnDOT described the operator's task as "routine activity."
The worker's name and hometown weren't released.
The incident was reported just before noon near Seven Mile Creek Park, Roeske said.
Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482
