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Bulldozer operator drowns after sand pit mishap in Tyrrell County

File photo
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture on Flickr via Openverse
File photo

A bulldozer operator drowned in Tyrrell County on Monday when the edge of a sandpit gave way, sending him and the machine into deep water.

Chief Deputy Jimmy Shelton of the Tyrrell County Sheriff's Office said Kendle Davis escaped the bulldozer but was unable to swim, leading to his drowning.

Dive teams using sonar technology found and recovered Davis's body several hours later. The bulldozer was removed from the water on Tuesday.

Annette is originally a Midwest gal, born and raised in Michigan, but with career stops in many surrounding states, the Pacific Northwest, and various parts of the southeast. An award-winning journalist and mother of four, Annette moved to eastern North Carolina in 2019 to be closer to family – in particular, her two young grandchildren. It’s possible that a -27 day with a -68 windchill in Minnesota may have also played a role in that decision. In her spare time, Annette does a lot of kiddo cuddling, reading, and producing the coolest Halloween costumes anyone has ever seen. She has also worked as a diversity and inclusion facilitator serving school districts and large corporations. It’s the people that make this beautiful area special, and she wants to share those stories that touch the hearts of others. If you have a story idea to share, please reach out by email to westona@cravencc.edu.