Mechanic killed when tractor falls on him

THOMASVILLE — Officials in Davidson County say a mechanic has died after a tractor-trailer he was repairing fell on him.

Larry James, interim director of the Davidson County Emergency Services, said 22-year-old Paul Peterson was pronounced dead at the scene.

James said Peterson was working under the front of a tractor-trailer when it fell on him and pinned him underneath late Monday afternoon. He said bystanders tried to get Peterson out from beneath the tractor-trailer, but were unable to free him.

James didn't know what caused the tractor-trailer to fall. He said the N.C. Department of Labor was conducting an investigation into the accident.