Man Hospitalized After Mind-Blowing Riding Mower Accident in Saugerties

One person was injured after the riding lawn mower they were operating drove off a 30-foot cliff in Saugerties, New York on Saturday.

A routine day of mowing the lawn took a mind-blowing turn on Saturday, September 28th when according to police the man operating the riding lawn mower drove it off a cliff at his Ulster County, NY residence.

Riding Lawn Mower Goes Off Cliff in Saugerties, New York

According to the New York State Police, a NYS Trooper was dispatched to a residence in Saugerties, NY at approximately 3:36 p.m. on Saturday, to a report of a lawn mower that was allegedly driven off a cliff.

As the trooper arrived on the scene off of Malden Turnpike in Saugerties, it was determined that 76-year-old Richard Pesce, of Saugerties, New York, accidentally went over a cliff that was approximately 30ft high, at his home while mowing his yard.

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Police haven't said what caused the man to drive the lawn mower off the cliff or if the riding mower malfunctioned in any way but did say that Pesce was transported to Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. When more information regarding the accident is available will update this article.

Riding Lawn Mower Safety Tips

After accidents similar to this happen it is always a good time to remind folks who use a riding mower to mow their lawns that oftentimes accidents can be prevented if users follow these safety tips:

• Avoid distractions like talking on the phone, texting, or listening to music while mowing.
• Get familiar with the mower by reading its owner's manual and if it's equipped with an operator-presence control system, make sure it's working properly.
• Use extra caution if mowing wet grass as it can cause a mower to slide out of control.
• Always mow up and down slopes as driving across them can cause a mower to tip over.
• Never operate a mower under the influence of alcohol