Wyoming Worker Dies When Excavator Tips Into Pond

A Laramie, Wyo., man has died after the excavation machine he was driving fell into an ice-covered retaining pond.

The Laramie Police Department said 42-year-old Tracy J. Whitehouse was driving the excavator on Feb. 10, when it tipped on its side. The operator’s cab broke through 8 inches of ice and was submerged into mud and water.

Searchers first tried to locate Whitehouse in the excavator cab but couldn’t find him.

A water rescue team found his body in the pond about 5 hours later.

Whitehouse was working for JD Enterprises of Windsor, Colo.

Laramie Police say the investigation is continuing.