Duchesne County Deputy Mark Heath examines the scene of a logging accident Tuesday evening on Indian Ridge. Richard Albert Newton, age 36 of Sterling, was killed when the John Deere loader the man was using to move logs apparently became twisted up on the top of the hill and rolled over four times on heavy equipment’s 200 foot path down the incline. According to Heath, Newton was ejected from the machine, apparently on the first or second roll. No one actually witnessed the accident because the nearest logging personnel were operating other machines, with the closest working about 300 yards away from the scene. The accident was detected when one of the loggers noticed the wheels upside down on the loader Newton had been operating. The accident, which happened about 3 p.m. on April 30, was initially reported to the Utah Highway Patrol office in Price. The UHP sent troopers to the scene via a four wheel drive vehicle. The incident occurred in a remote area near the Duchesne-Carbon line. Authorities later determined the matter was within the Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction. It appeared Newton died instantly. The incident remains under investigation.
Tuesday logging accident on Indian Ridge claims life of Sanpete County man
