Melrose Man, 65, Killed Stearns County Tractor Accident

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A 65-year-old Melrose man died in a tractor accident late Wednesday morning that may have been the result of a medical episode, according to the Stearns County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities responded at about 11:21 a.m. Wednesday to 30431 390th St. in Millwood Township on report of a man found trapped under a tractor. The residence is northeast of Melrose. The caller said the man as unresponsive.

When officers arrived, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. He was identified as Donald Hinnenkamp of Melrose. Authorities found him partially entangled in a hay merger and it appears he may have had a medical episode and was able to put the tractor in neutral.

The incident is under investigation and his cause of death will be determined with an autopsy by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office was assisted at the scene by Freeport Fire and Rescue, Melrose Fire and Rescue, Melrose Ambulance and Lifelink Air Ambulance.