TORONTO – A North Carolina man lost his hand in a bizarre accident Saturday when a small plane landed on top of him while he was operating a riding lawnmower.
John Rufty, 74, was cutting grass on a small landing strip at a privately owned airport when a single-engine plane crash-landed, according to the Daily News.
Both Rufty and the plane were travelling in the same direction when the crash occurred, the website reported.
“(Rufty) wouldn’t have been able to hear or see the plane coming,” State Highway Patrol Sergeant Brian Owenby told the Daily News. “And the pilot was unable to see the driver until just before impact.”
Photos of the accident show the plane upside down, with one wing resting on top of a flipped lawnmower.
The propeller reportedly severed Rufty’s left hand.
The 84-year-old pilot managed to walk away from the accident without injury.
No charges have been laid.
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