ST. PETER — Authorities say a backhoe operator is presumed dead after his machine fell into a creek while clearing ice jams between St. Peter and Mankato.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation reports that a backhoe was “washed into the river.”

The State Patrol believes the operator was swept away from Seven Mile Creek, which flows to the Minnesota River. Officials say currents are so dangerous, the dive team can’t go into the river safely. But searchers will use boats to look in backwaters.

MnDOT spokeswoman Chris Krueger says the backhoe operator was clearing ice jams when the accident happened. The operator’s name and hometown have not been released.

The accident was reported just before noon Tuesday near Seven Mile Creek Park.