A Lincoln city worker has died from injuries he sustained when a riding lawn mower rolled on top of him.

Hospital spokeswoman Deb Hartman-Boehle says 37-year-old Eric
Kohles died Friday morning. He had been hospitalized since the
mower accident on Monday afternoon.

City officials said Kohles was mowing a drainage easement
when the mower rolled. Two workers found him trapped beneath the
1,200-pound mower. Kohles had worked for the city for about 2 1/2
years.

The city has suspended mowing ditches while officials investigate the accident.

“I join with Public Works and Utilities Director Greg MacLean and all City employees in expressing our deepest sympathy to Eric’s family and friends,” said Mayor Chris Beutler. “Eric was a very dedicated, hard working employee. He was well-liked by his co-workers and supervisors and will be missed by all.”

Ken Svoboda of Ray's Lawn Care in Lincoln said they haven't used the type of mower Kohles was killed on in decades because of their instability. He said his heart goes out to the Kohles' family and friends and that he doesn't think it's the driver's fault.

"You can do all the training that you want but grass and vegetation will always cover up all kinds of holes and ruts and erosion and everything else that you just can't see and accidents happen like that."

Kohles has been with the City Public Works and Utilities Department since February 28, 2008. He started in Street Maintenance, transferred to the Lincoln Water System in November 2009, and returned to Street Maintenance in July after being promoted to his current position.

OSHA Representative Bernard Hauber of Omaha said OSHA has no jurisdiction to investigate a city worker's death. The City is continuing its investigation into the cause of the accident.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission advises that if you mow on a steep incline, mow up and down it, not side to side.