The Marion County Sheriff’s office reports that an accident at approximately 1:35 PM yesterday killed a Knoxville man. A citizen observed a tractor with an attached mower drive down a lane near 1841 20th Place, Melcher-Dallas. The observer then heard an unknown noise, then heard a windmill in a nearby cornfield fall down. The observer then went to the windmill, saw a man under the mower, and called 911.

Phillip Nolte of Knoxville was pronounced dead on the scene. The Melcher-Dallas Fire/Rescue & Ambulance, Marion County Sheriff Deputies and Iowa State Patrol all responded to the accident scene.

The accident is under investigation by the Medical Examiner and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.