BEATRICE – An Odell man was flown by helicopter to a Lincoln hospital Wednesday night after being hit by a tractor.

Gage County Sheriff’s officers were called to a home in Odell on Garfield Street for a report of a domestic disturbance.

John Novotny, 75, was working on his house and was standing in the front bucket of a tractor. Authorities said he was trying to lower the bucket and slipped. Novotny fell out of the bucket and accidentally put the tractor in gear, which then ran over him.

Odell Fire and Rescue and Beatrice Fire and Rescue arrived at the scene. A rescue helicopter flew the injured man to a hospital in Lincoln. His condition was initially unclear.