A Gist woman lost her life in a lawn mowing accident Tuesday

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GIST, TX-

At 2:36 p.m. today, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office received a call stating that a woman was trapped under a zero-turn riding lawn mower at a home in the 1500 block of County Road 3139 in Gist.

Newton County Sheriff Colton Havard said that first responders arrived at the house and located the victim, identified as 51-year-old Rose Ella Proctor, still beneath the mower. They quickly removed the lawn mower and began life-saving measures.

Despite all efforts, Proctor was pronounced deceased at the scene by Newton County Justice of the Peace, Judge Dana Ashmore.

Havard added, "A preliminary investigation revealed that Proctor had been mowing her yard when, for unknown reasons, she got off the lawn mower. Deputies discovered that the mower’s safety control switch had been overridden and disconnected, allowing it to continue moving unattended. It is believed the mower then struck and ran over Proctor."

The Newton County Sheriff’s Office extends its condolences and prayers to the family during this difficult time.