Workplace Accident

DATE & TIME:                    06-22-2020 / 11:54 am

LOCATION:                        5954 West Hoyt Road

OFFENSE:                           Workplace Accident

CASE #:                             2020-2762             

The Gage County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the Beatrice Gun Club, 5954 West Hoyt Road, on Monday, June 22, 2020, at approximately 11:54 am for a workplace accident.  An investigator responded to the gun club while a deputy responded to Beatrice Community Hospital to await the arrival of an employee who reported an injury when the riding lawn mower he was operating struck an abandoned binary target, causing the target to initiate, which in turn lifted the front end of the riding mower in a violent jolt.  The mower continued for approximately ten feet before coming to a rest.  A small crater indicated where the device detonated.  Initial crater analysis indicates the device had been on the ground for an indeterminate amount of time.

While talking to persons from the Gun Club at the scene, the investigator was able to determine the 75-year-old employee had decided to drive himself home, rather than go to the hospital.  The investigator talked to the employee on the phone and a deputy checked on the subject at his Beatrice home.  He stated he was sore, but did not receive any incapacitating injuries or loss of blood.

The riding mower received an undetermined amount of damage and was not operational at the scene.  Managers for the gun club were notified of the incident.

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Investigator T. Hanson #90310

Deputy S. Behrens #90317