A 68-year-old man died Sunday afternoon after a riding mower overturned and trapped him in a creek on his property, authorities said.
Leo J. Meidlinger was pronounced dead at Aultman Alliance Community Hospital at 3:49 p.m., according to Harry Campbell, chief investigator with the Stark County Coroner’s Office.
Emergency crews were called to the 11000 block of Beech Street NE around 3:14 p.m. after Meidlinger’s wife found him pinned beneath a zero-turn mower. Investigators believe the machine slid down an embankment and flipped into water, trapping Meidlinger underneath.
Deputies from the Stark County Sheriff’s Office and paramedics arrived on scene and worked to free Meidlinger, performing CPR after removing the mower. Despite their efforts, he could not be revived.
The Stark County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Canton Metro Crash Team as part of the ongoing investigation.
