Man on lawn mower struck by vehicle

A Plato man was seriously injured Sunday afternoon when his lawn mower was struck by a vehicle, the Missouri State Highway Patrol said.

Sgt. George Falterman of the patrol said Wayne L. Handley, 82, of Plato, was the operator of an eastbound John Deere lawn mower that crossed into the path of a northbound 2004 Ford Escape driven by Morrigan F. Hayes, 21, of Plato. 

Falterman said Handley was flown from the scene to Mercy Hospital in Springfield. Hayes, who was wearing a seatbelt, was not injured. 

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EARLIER: Emergency responders were called at about 3 p.m. Sunday after a man on a lawn mower was struck by a vehicle, authorities reported. 

The accident was just west of the Highways 17 and AW intersection in northwest Texas County. 

A helicopter responded to the scene. Members of the fire departments from Plato and Roby were called to help with traffic. The Missouri State Highway Patrol and Texas County Memorial Hospital ambulance also were dispatched.