Authorities have identified the worker whose backhoe tipped over and fatally crushed him early this week at a storm water collection pond near the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Jeffery A. Tukua, 46, of Hastings, was killed about 10 a.m. Monday as he was dredging the pond, the Hennepin County medical examiner's office said Wednesday. Tukua's body was recovered several hours later.
Tukua worked for contractor SM Hentges of Jordan, Minn., said airport spokesman Patrick Hogan.
The backhoe was on wooden planks, which were placed on the soggy terrain for stability, Hogan said.
The pond is designed to collect water and prevent chemicals from running off into nearby lakes and rivers.
Paul Walsh 612-673-4482
