CLAY TWP — A 68-year-old man was killed Thursday evening when his farm tractor rolled on top of him as he was moving dirt at his home on State Street Extension, authorities said.

Robert W. Neal likely died instantly when the older Ford tractor overturned and crushed him about 7:15 p.m., said Butler County Coroner William Young III.

Neal, a retired carpenter, died of severe neck and chest injuries, said Young, who pronounced the victim dead at the scene. There was no autopsy.

State police are investigating, but a report was not available this morning.

Authorities believe Neal lost control of the tractor, which was fitted with a front bucket, while going down a slight hill. A barrel on the back, designed to act as a counterweight, was empty.

Investigators and emergency officials considered two possible scenarios about what happened.

One theory was that the bucket was filled with dirt and the added weight to the front of the tractor, combined with the slope of the ground, may have caused the back wheels to come off the ground and overturn.

Another possibility, according to West Sunbury volunteer fire officials, was that Neal had just dumped a load of dirt and was backing up into a grade when the tractor hit a log, causing him to lose control of it.

The tractor rolled over and crushed Neal under it on a stone and rock pathway.

“It was a freak accident,” Young said.

Family members apparently did not immediately hear the crash. Neal’s grandchildren later discovered the accident and called 911.

The crash closed the road for about two hours as police conducted their investigation.

Young Funeral Home in West Sunbury is handling funeral arrangements.