The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

April 16, 2009

<img src=" http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/new.gif" border=0> Highway worker falls under flatbed, dies


FAIR GROVE, Mo. (AP) — A highway construction worker has been killed along U.S. 65 near Fair Grove in southwest Missouri.

The Highway Patrol said 53-year-old Lance Trager (TRAY-gr) of Columbia died Wednesday afternoon while workers were dismantling and loading a crane onto a flatbed truck. Troopers said Trager fell under the wheels of the truck and was run over as the rig pulled forward.

The driver of the truck was identified as 40-year-old Howard Nichols of Centralia.

Crews have just finished building a bridge over the Pomme de Terre River on the Greene-Dallas county line.