A Bedford County man died Wednesday afternoon after his lawn tractor crashed, officials said.

Bedford County Sheriff's Maj. Ricky Gardner said deputies and the Stewartsville Rescue Squad were called about 4:30 p.m. to the 1700 block of Blankenship Road. The caller told investigators he and a friend had found the caller's father submerged and unresponsive in a pond on the man's property.

Donald Sexton, 62, was pronounced dead at the scene, Gardner said.

Deputies believe Sexton lost control of his lawn tractor while driving down a steep embankment. They said it appeared the tractor struck a tree near the pond and Sexton was thrown into the water. The victim's son said he believed Sexton had been in the water for about 20 minutes before he was found.

Gardner said the incident most likely occurred before Wednesday's heavy rains in Bedford County.

-- Neil Harvey