MnDOT Worker Drowns Battling Floods

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.afscmeblog.org/2011/03/23/mndot-worker-drowns-battling-floods/?__utma=1.672072260.1300108486.1300593010.1300993459.4&__utmb=1.1.10.1300993459&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1300108486.1.1.utmcsr=%28direct%29|utmccn=%28direct%29|utmcmd=%28none%29&__utmv=-&__utmk=231276575

March 23rd, 2011

MnDoT employees work on flood preparation


MnDoT employees work to prepare for floods. (File photo courtesy of AFSCME Council 5)

Flood preparations turned tragic Tuesday when Michael Struck, a MnDOT maintenance worker, and his backhoe were swept into the churning Minnesota River.

Struck was clearing debris from a culvert near Seven Mile Creek on Highway 169 between St. Peter and Mankato. The current was too strong for rescue divers to enter the frigid flood waters, but Struck’s body was found a day later.

Like his AFSCME co-workers, Mike was an everyday hero willing to risk his personal safety to keep motorists safe. Our hearts break for the Struck family, including Mike’s mom, Denise, also a member of AFSCME Local 280 (Council 5) at MnDOT’s district office in Mankato.

Mike was 39 and he is survived by his wife, Audrey, and their four-year-old daughter. AFSCME and MnDOT will honor Mike’s life and dedicated service at the Mankato Workers Memorial Day observance on April 28.

Learn more from the Star Tribune story & photos: http://www.startribune.com/local/118451634.html

and FOX-9 TV story & video: http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/backhoe-accident-169-minnesota-river-mar-22-2011

[rfranklin]

1. another lazy, overpaid public worker...

what use are they? :sarcasm:

[Blue Owl]

2. RIP Michael Struck

Condolences to his family.

:grouphug: