APLINGTON - Icy roads are being blamed for a mishap that claimed the life of a farmer Saturday in Butler County.

Eric Dietrich, 55, died at the scene, according to Aplington's fire chief, Hal Stahl.

"It was just a very unfortunate accident," Stahl said.

Dietrich was reportedly driving a John Deere 4020 tractor and pulling two wagons loaded with corn. He apparently lost control of the situation when the weighted wagons began to push the tractor down a hill.

"The roads were completely snowed over and iced over, and there was no sand or salt on them," Stahl said.

The tractor stayed on the road, but one wagon tipped over and Dietrich was killed. The incident happened at about 7:45 a.m. north of Aplington.

Funeral services for Dietrich are scheduled at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Bethel Reformed Church in Aplington.