Lebanon man on mower struck by van on Rt. 202

The commercial mower received heavy damage. (Lebanon Rescue photo)

LEBANON - A 49-year-old Lebanon man miraculously escaped serious injury on Sunday when he drove a commercial riding mower onto Route 202 near a Lebanon equipment rental dealership and was struck by a vehicle.

A Ford Econoline van headed westbound around 1 p.m. on the highway reportedly struck the mower. The man on the mower received several injuries in the mishap but refused transport to the hospital, according to a press release from Lebanon Rescue.

The van, whose occupants included a man and a woman from Lebanon, were shook up in the incident near Southern Maine Equipment Rental, but were OK. 

The lawnmower was said to have rolled 100-150 feet after the impact, landing in a ditch. It received heavy damage. 

The man on the mower was mowing an area of grass near Southern Maine Tool when the accident occurred, said an employee with the rental business today.

The van suffered front end and passenger side damage.

The van was traveling at normal speed for the area, which is posted as 55 mph, according to Assistant Rescue Chief Jason  Cole.

The Maine State Police are investigating the accident.