Klamath Falls Man Named Knife River Hero

KLAMATH FALLS, ORE. – Dec. 16, 2009 – Mike Rettmann, bulk truck driver for Knife River Materials’ Klamath Falls operations, received the Knife River Hero Award for his life-saving actions in October.

On Oct. 19, Rettmann headed out on a midnight trip to Redding, Calif., to pick up dry cement. Around 2 a.m. he witnessed a single-car rollover involving a female driver. The car came to a stop in his lane, upside down. Rettmann quickly stopped his truck, turned on his flashers and ran to help. After discovering the woman had head and shoulder injuries he called 911 and freed her from the car by cutting the jammed seatbelt.

Rettmann prevented her from going into shock by calming her and keeping her warm. In addition, he collected all her belongings, which were scattered across the highway.

“Mike’s actions are a true reflection of his character. We developed this award to recognize heroes like Mike, who take measures to help people just when they need it the most,” said Knife River Corporation President and CEO Bill Schneider.

Rettmann is the fifth employee to receive the award which was developed in April 2008.

Knife River Corporation mines aggregates and markets crushed stone, sand, gravel and related construction materials, including ready-mixed concrete, cement, asphalt, liquid asphalt and other value-added products in 14 states. It also performs integrated construction services. Knife River operates in the central, southern and western United States and Alaska and Hawaii. Knife River is an indirect subsidiary of MDU Resources Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange as “MDU.” For more information about Knife River, visit the company’s Web site at www.kniferiver.com.

Media contact:
Pam Link Senior Public Relations Representative
(701) 530-1054
pam.link@kniferiver.com

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