On October 15, 2023, at approximately 1:07 P.M., the Stearns County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call reporting that a male had been run over by a tractor at 14817 143rd Avenue in Luxemburg Township. This location is north of the city of Watkins.
Upon arrival, deputies found Matthew Mathies, 59, of Watkins, lying on his side in the yard. Deputies learned that Mathies had been attempting to hook a wagon up to the rear of his tractor and corn picker combo when the tractor began to roll forward down a slight decline. Mathies tried to jump onto the tractor to prevent it from rolling into a shed on the property. Mathies slipped and was run over by the tractor.
Responding deputies provided aid to Mathies. Care was taken over by Watkins Fire Department and Watkins Ambulance when they arrived on scene. Life Link Helicopter also responded to the scene and landed. Medical personnel continued to render aid to Mathies, but he succumbed to his injuries and was later pronounced deceased at the scene. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office is also assisting, which is routine in this type of matter.