A FLUSHING man was killed instantly Friday evening in a freak accident that occurred at the Powerline Park in St. Clairsville.

The 22-year-old was attempting to use his four-wheel drive truck to free another similar vehicle that was bogged down in mud when the accident happened.

Joey Fulton of Flushing was driving the tow vehicle when the hook on the second vehicle snapped and flew forward crashing the his back window and striking him in the head killing him instantly.

“It was a very freak accident,” said Belmont County Sheriff Fred Thompson. “No others people were injured. He was just trying to help someone out. The hook snapped when he initially accelerated his vehicle in attempt to pull the other vehicle out of the mud.”

Thompson said the park is often used for such activities and did not anticipate any type of charges to be filed in the accident.

“They were just enjoying some off-road activities with their four-wheel drives,” Thompson said. “It was an organized event.

Also responding to the scene were officials and emergency personnel from the Ohio State Patrol, Cumberland Trail and Flushing Volunteer Fire Department.

Fulton was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sedgmer may be reached at ksedgmer@timesleaderonline.com