A backhoe tipped over and fell on its operator Monday morning at a storm water collection pond near the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, killing the man, an airport spokesman said.
The incident occurred about 10 a.m. as the contract worker was dredging the pond, said spokesman Patrick Hogan. The body was recovered early in the afternoon.
The worker, whose identity has yet to be released, worked for SM Hentges of Jordan, Minn., Hogan said.
The backhoe was on wooden planks, which were placed on the soggy terrain for stability, Hogan added.
The water is collected in the pond, preventing chemicals from running off into nearby lakes and rivers.
Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482
