Former Burlington Mayor Run Over By Bulldozer

A former Burlington mayor is in critical condition after he was run over by a bulldozer Thursday morning.

Police said Roger Tjeerdsma was in a field talking to a co-worker when he tried to climb into the bulldozer’s cab. As he was climbing in, he may have hit something like a lever that caused the machine to roll and drag him under.

Witnesses said the incident happened just before 8 a.m. and that paramedics worked for almost half an hour to pull him out from under the bulldozer.

Tjeerdsma, 68, was taken to a local hospital with massive injuries to his legs, pelvis and arm. His injuries were so severe he was flown to Harborview Medical Center for emergency surgery.

He is out of surgery and in critical condition.

"We hope to hear that he's improving and things are going well. He has a big family a lot of children and grandchildren," said Judy Sheahan who works in Burlington City Hall.

Tjeerdsma, better known as "Gus," is best known for being the mayor of Burlington, the town he grew up in.

He held office for 12 years until he left in 2007.

Police said it appears to be an accident, but the Department of Labor and Industries may investigate.