CAMAS VALLEY, Ore. -- A man was killed Tuesday morning after he was hit by a mower on the shoulder of Oregon Highway 42.

Oregon Department of Transportation crews reported the emergency at about 9:15, near milepost 59.

Oregon State Police say an ODOT employee was mowing grass and hit an adult male who they believe was sleeping in the grass.

Police say the ODOT employee immediately called for help and attempted first aid but the man died.

The name of the man who died will not be released until family has been notified.

ODOT spokeswoman Angela Beers-Seydel said they are heartbroken about what happened. She said she isn't aware of anything like this happening before.

They have peer support available for employees, Beers-Seydel said.

ODOT said mowing is an important part of road maintenance, and they mow different areas two to three times a year.