Pickerington man crushed to death by bulldozer

BY MORGAN DAY • Staff Writer • August 8, 2009

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP -- A Pickerington man who died Friday afternoon was excavating ground at his nephew's house when the bulldozer he was in fell on top of him, officials said Friday.

Richard D. Huntwork, 60, died about 2:20 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Ohio 256 and Bader Road.

"He was putting the bulldozer back onto the trailer, and the front of the trailer went up into the air," said Fairfield County Sheriff Dave Phalen. "At that time, it threw the bulldozer off balance, and it fell off the trailer.

"He was crushed by the bulldozer when it struck the ground."

Phalen said workers were at the property, which is under construction. No one saw the incident happen, but they heard the bulldozer fall and then called 911.

Medics took Huntwork to Fairfield Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

Basil Joint and Violet Township fire departments responded to the scene.

Phalen said accidents involving bulldozers have not been common within the county.

"We tend to see more tractors tip over than bulldozers," he said. "I would say it's a very unusual occurrence."

Blog Responses:

1. Lets thank Ron for his compassion

1. To all.. especially Spooky 100 thank you for the support. Last year I got this e mail from a person from OHIO who lost his brother..

Mr. Melancon

It took a personal tragedy for me to research dangerous trailers .

Our family will be burying my little brother tomorrow due to a dangerous trailer. Below is a link to the news video of the trailer /motorcycle accident.

I would like to see it added to your site if possible.
http://www.dangeroustrailers.org/The_Gunter_Family.html

Also I mailed this story to our president.... 5 months ago.... again no responce... why.
http://dangeroustrailersviedos.blogspot.com/2008/04/man-continues-to-recover-from-december.html

Here is his story....again...also a child was just lost by a Utility Trailer Accident..
I will post on my web site...go to the updates page...here is a summary..
T
oddler Run Over After Falling From Trailer

Updated: Aug 7, 2009 11:24 PM

A three-year-old boy is dead

Why? do these deaths have to occur?
8/8/2009 11:27:28 PM

1. Today the old time people of Pickerington are in shock. We all new Dick and some even went through school here in Pickerington with him. Dick was a outstanding person, outstanding husband and father, and a good friend to all who new him. He will be greatly missed. Our prayers are with the entire Huntwork family.

Paul Ford
Pickerington