RURAL HARDIN COUNTY – An Iowa man was his ejected from motorcycle and airlifted to a hospital after he was hit by a turkey, authorities say.
The accident happened on Sunday, June 6, 2021. At about 4:49 PM that day, 57-year-old Robert Nederhoff of Wellsburg, Iowa, was southbound driving a 2010 Honda motorcycle on county road S62 in Hardin county, north of Union. As Nederhoff traversed a curve, he was hit by a turkey and lost control of his Honda. At the same time, a 2013 Ford Edge driven by 29-year-old Rachel Smoldt of New Providence, Iowa, pulled onto the shoulder to avoid the Honda. However, the Honda struck the Edge head-on. Nederhoff was ejected from the Honda and injured. He was transported by Mason City Aircare to Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.
The accident remains under investigation.
Assisting the Iowa State Patrol were Hardin Co. Sheriff’s Dept., Eldora Fire & EMS, Mason City Aircare, Dave’s Crane & Wrecker Service, and posts 8 & 9 of the State Patrol.