A tragic accident took the life of a Rugby farmer on Saturday, October 2.

Richard Hager, was driving a combine southeast of Rugby on a gravel road at about 4:00 p.m. when he was involved in an accident.

Investigators say it appears that the pickup header became separated from the combine while he was traveling down the roadway, according to a report from Pierce County Sheriff Matthew Lunde.

The combine appeared to have climbed over the header that had separated from the machine, causing the driver to be ejected from the machine.

Hager, 59, suffered numerous injuries as a result of being ejected. He was transported to the Heart of America Medical Center in Rugby. He was later transported to Trinity Hospital in Minot where he died from his injuries.

Rugby Fire Department, Pierce County Sheriff’s office, and the Rugby Ambulance Service responded to the scene.