Hauler loses foot in truck

PEQUOT LAKES -- A Pequot Lakes garbage hauler was seriously injured Saturday after his foot was severed in his garbage truck.

Robert "Robbie" Saccoman, owner of Pequot Lakes Sanitation, was at his home alone on County Road 112 in Pequot Lakes Saturday morning working on his sanitation truck when the accident happened, according to Pequot Police Sgt. John Ryan.

Saccoman had crawled into the garbage truck to work on switches that weren't operating properly when the machine suddenly turned on, severing his foot above the ankle, according to police.

Ryan said Saccoman was somehow able to crawl down from the truck himself. A neighbor heard his cries for help. He was flown directly to North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale Saturday where he underwent surgery followed by a second surgery Monday. Ryan said doctors had to amputate his leg about 3 inches below his knee.

The accident was reported at 9:45 a.m. Saturday.