Kentucky senator hospitalized after lawnmower incident near Harlan
Kentucky state Sen. Johnnie L. Turner was taken to a hospital Sunday night after being injured while riding a lawnmower.
Turner, R-Harlan, drove the mower into the deep end of an empty swimming pool at his home, said Kentucky State Police Trooper Shane Jacobs. He said state police were called just before 8 p.m., and they responded to the scene with the local fire department and emergency medical services.
“Sen. Johnnie Turner remains in critical but stable condition at the University of Tennessee Medical Center,” Senate President Robert Stivers said in a statement Monday morning. “I’ve been in touch with Johnnie’s family, who are with him at the hospital.
“The family requests prayers for a speedy recovery.”
Turner lives in the Sukey Ridge area, according to WRIL-FM.
He was taken to Harlan ARH Hospital and then transferred to the University of Tennessee Medical Center by helicopter, WYMT reported. The television station said he was stable.
Turner represents District 29, which includes Bell, Floyd, Harlan, Knott and Letcher counties.
Turner, 76, is an attorney who has served in the state Senate since 2021, according to the Legislative Research Center. He served in the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2002.
This story was originally published September 16, 2024 at 7:34 AM.
