Backhoe Operator Killed In Clay County Accident
POSTED: 11:19 a.m. EST March 11, 2003
UPDATED: 4:14 p.m. EST March 11, 2003
A Clay County employee operating a backhoe was crushed to death Tuesday when the vehicle flipped over into a water-filled ditch on Blanding Boulevard near state Road 220.
According to Florida Highway Patrol and Clay Fire-Rescue personnel, a pickup struck the backhoe about 9:40 a.m., flipping it over. The operator -- identified as 20-year-old Mark Bickford -- jumped clear, but then the backhoe landed on him.
Northbound traffic on Blanding was rerouted to Baxley for much of the morning, primarily because of all the emergency vehicles in the road.
Police say charges will be filed against the driver of the utility truck -- Richard Bella, 47, of Middleburg. He was not injured.
Copyright 2003 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
According to Florida Highway Patrol and Clay Fire-Rescue personnel, a pickup struck the backhoe about 9:40 a.m., flipping it over. The operator -- identified as 20-year-old Mark Bickford -- jumped clear, but then the backhoe landed on him.
Northbound traffic on Blanding was rerouted to Baxley for much of the morning, primarily because of all the emergency vehicles in the road.
Police say charges will be filed against the driver of the utility truck -- Richard Bella, 47, of Middleburg. He was not injured.
- Photo provided by Clay County Fire-Rescue
Copyright 2003 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
