SPRINGFIELD - A Lincoln man was killed Monday afternoon after the backhoe he was operating overturned at a construction site in Springfield.

Melvin H. Buchholz, 52, was pronounced dead of a head injury at 2:23 p.m. Monday at the scene, at 1900 Truman Road, Sangamon County Police Chief Tony Sacco said.

The incident occurred about half an hour before, where Buchholz was working on property owned by his employer, Merrill Contractors, Sacco said. The site was near the Four Seasons sporting complex.

Merrill Contractors declined to comment on the incident when called Tuesday afternoon.

Melvin Buchholz was married to Jill Buchholz, who is the Lincoln Community High School superintendent's secretary. They have one daughter, Rachel.

"Although I did not know Melvin personally, my hearts and prayers go out to Jill and their entire family," said Superintendent Dean Langdon.

The Sangamon County sheriff's department said Buchholz's backhoe was on top of a large pile of asphalt chips and rolled off to the side. Police said it was not clear if Buchholz was thrown from the backhoe or if he had gotten out for some reason.

"I assume when it was on the top of the pile, it rolled off to the side," said Sacco. "The backhoe did have him pinned under the machine when it rolled."

Sangamon County Coroner Susan Boone said she was unsure how the accident occurred because he had been moved before she got to the scene.

Witnesses saw the accident and called for help.

His funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home, Lincoln.