Fairbanks

Man dies in bulldozer accident in Interior Alaska

A 65-year-old Fairbanks man died Sunday on the Rampart winter road as he was hauling a load to a mining camp, Alaska State Troopers say.

Robert Appleford was towing a large housing unit with a Caterpillar D5 bulldozer when it lost traction, troopers said in a dispatch posted Tuesday. He got off and was trying to unpin the skid trailer from its hitch when the dozer rolled backward onto him, causing fatal injuries.

Appleford was still alive when he was found by hikers, troopers spokesman Tim DeSpain said. They tried unsuccessfully to save him.

Troopers arrived from Fairbanks via helicopter to conduct a death investigation.

Zaz Hollander

Zaz Hollander is a veteran journalist based in the Mat-Su and is currently an ADN local news editor and reporter. She covers breaking news, the Mat-Su region, aviation and general assignments. Contact her at zhollander@adn.com.

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