Not sure of the exact details but a pump operator was ran over on the jobsite by another pump in Great Falls Mont. yesterday. Both pumps of the same company.

So sad, I hope its not true

The Cascade County Sheriff's Office, which is investigating the accident, said the victim was a 44-year-old man. His name was not made public Tuesday, pending notification of his family. Lt. Scott Wagner, the assistant chief coroner, said the victim apparently was crushed after getting caught between two large trucks driving by each other. He was transported to Benefis Health System, where he was pronounced dead from massive internal injuries, Wagner said. The victim's body will be sent to the State Crime Lab in Missoula for an autopsy. The accident occurred at about 8 a.m. The man was employed by one of the subcontractors of Chicago-based general contractor Walsh Construction Co., PPL Montana Spokesman David Hoffman said. PPL Montana owns the dam. "Our condolences go out to the family, co-workers and friends," Hoffman said. Investigators did not say which subcontractor the man worked for. Justin Hader, who works at the construction site, said that even though the victim did not work for the same company, Hader had known him for several years. Hader, who works at the United Materials portable concrete plant, described the victim as "a really good person." "He was very easy to work with and got along with everybody," Hader said. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will conduct an inspection of the accident site, said Christine Webb, acting area director of OSHA's Billings office. About 200 employees are working on the project, which involves constructing a new powerhouse at the dam. A single large turbine capable of churning out 62 megawatts of electricity will be installed in the new powerhouse. The dam's original brick powerhouse, which was completed in 1910, and its eight turbines are being mothballed. Reach Tribune Staff Writer Karl Puckett at 791-1471, 800-438-6600 or

Here is a link to the news story

http://video.concretepumping.com/videos/881/man-gets-crushed-between-two-concrete-trucks

Taun Kultgen, 44, died after reportedly being crushed between two large trucks driving by each other. Lt. Scott Wagner, the assistant chief coroner, said Kultgen was pronounced dead from massive internal injuries at Benefis Health System. The accident is under investigation.

Kultgen grew up in Whitlash, the oldest son of Urban and Karen Kultgen. He had two daughters, two stepsons and two grandchildren, with another grandson on the way.

Taun Kultgen's younger brother, Dan Kultgen, 42, said Taun got engaged to be married the Saturday before he died, and had plans to move up to Havre, where his fiancee lives.

Taun Kultgen worked as a specialty concrete pump operator at the Rainbow Dam project, which involves constructing a new powerhouse at the dam. A single large turbine capable of churning out 62 megawatts of electricity will be installed in the new powerhouse.

Dan Kultgen remembered his brother as "one of the best pump operators in the state." In addition to working on the Rainbow Dam project, Taun Kultgen also did work on Tiber Dam, the Port of Sweetgrass, and a number of projects in the Great Falls area.

"His name is about on every concrete structure in the state of Montana," Dan Kultgen said.

Taun Kultgen was a talented heavy equipment operator from an early age, according to his brother. He remembered that Taun Kultgen was able to run a backhoe at age 10. Later in life, he was willing to make the drive from Helena to Whitlash to help out his brother on Dan Kultgen's ranch.

Taun Kultgen loved the outdoors, and enjoyed hunting and fishing with his stepsons.

"He's always been really good with family," Dan Kultgen said. "He was always willing to help with everybody."

Funeral services for Taun Kultgen will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Whitlash Community Church in Whitlash.

WHITLASH — Taun Mark Kultgen, 44, a construction worker, died of internal injuries Tuesday after an accident at the Rainbow Dam construction site in Great Falls.

His funeral is 3 p.m. Saturday at Whitlash Community Church. Following burial at the Whitlash Cemetery, a luncheon will be held at the community hall. A memorial service will be 1 p.m. Monday at the Gateway Center, 1710 National Ave., in Helena. Rockman Funeral Chapel of Chester is in charge of arrangements.

Taun was born May 9, 1966, in Conrad, one of seven children born to Urban and Karen (Hall) Kultgen. He grew up in Whitlash and attended elementary school there. He finished his secondary education in Chester, graduating from Chester High School in 1984. Taun continued his schooling at Northern Montana College in Havre, where he earned an associate degree in auto body mechanics.

Following college, Taun worked in construction for three years in Helena at Wes Whitaker Trucking. He also worked at

B &Z Landscaping in Helena before taking a job with Big Sky Redi-Mix.

Taun married Karla Walters in 1989. They had two daughters, Tauna and Kaeli, before their marriage ended in divorce in 1994.

In 1996, Taun’s second marriage was to Kris Wood, the mother of two sons, J.J. and Brian. Taun suddenly became the father of four children and enjoyed raising his two stepsons as if they were his own. Taun and Kris divorced in 2009.

Recently, Taun developed a relationship with a Havre girl, Lisa Kudrna. In fact, they just became engaged this past Labor Day weekend.

Taun was employed by Lonesome Dove Concrete Pumping of Belgrade, dating back to August 1997. This company did contract work throughout Montana and neighboring states, and Taun was one of the top operators in their crew. Over the last dozen or so years, he pumped countless jobs, as well as being a manager, salesman, mentor and friend.

Taun was an American Concrete Pumping Association Certified Pump Operator, and a go-to person for many of us, solving problems, finding ways to do jobs, helping contractors and dispatchers alike, training new operators, and being an all-around key employee. He will be sorely missed by those who spoke with him on a daily basis as co-workers, as well as his numerous friends and loved ones. Taun embodied Lonesome Dove’s pride in having experience and putting the customer first.

Some of the more notable jobs Taun was involved with include: the malt plant, Benefis Health System, the Federal Building, Air National Guard and Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, all in Great Falls; the malt plant in Fairfield; the Cancer Center in Havre; St. Peter’s Hospital, State Fund building, Canyon Ferry underwater piers, Fort Harrison, Bus Barn, the new interchange and numerous pumping jobs, all in Helena; numerous bridges statewide and pumping jobs at the Sweetgrass border crossing, and many others. Taun’s fingerprints are evident literally on concrete projects all over the state of Montana.

In May of 2010, they began work on the Rainbow Dam near Great Falls, where Taun was the head pumper on the project. On this past Tuesday morning, Sept. 7, 2010, he sustained internal injuries after being accidentally pinned between two trucks at the jobsite. Taun was rushed by ambulance to Benefis Medical Center, but was pronounced dead on arrival. He was just 44 years old.

Of comfort is the fact that Taun recommitted his life to the Lord when he was baptized as an adult in 1999 at the Lighthouse Family Fellowship in Helena. He enjoyed participating in church activities there and was instrumental in establishing “family camp,” patterned after the camps he attended in his younger days at Whitlash.

In his youth, Taun was in the Boy Scouts and played freshman football. In later years he became a member/supporter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. One of his most memorable trips was going with his family to Hawaii — twice.

Taun loved working on his home and property; he did all of his own mechanical and carpentry tasks and recently built a new shop. When he could, he spent weekends helping his folks on the family farm/ranch in Whitlash, and never hesitated to help his brothers and sisters with family projects across the state.

Taun was versatile in operating all kinds of equipment; of interest was the fact that he ran his first backhoe at age 10. He was respected by fellow employees for his skills and proficiency in operating the concrete pumpers in the most difficult situations.

Taun enjoyed quality time with his family, be it hunting and fishing with his stepsons, attending special events with his daughters, or those monthly jaunts to the barbershop with his grandson.

Taun was loved dearly by all of his nieces and nephews. Family was always important to him – he never missed sending cards for special holidays/events and seldom missed calling his folks on a daily basis. Taun loved his mom’s homemade pies, so when there was a fresh pie in the oven, it was always a family joke that “Taun must be coming home this weekend!” He will be sorely missed by those who loved him.

Taun is survived by his two daughters, Tauna (Tim) Denning and their two children, Tristan and Thaidyn; and Kaeli Kultgen who is expecting a son, Kaedyn Taun, all of East Helena; two stepsons, J.J. Elm in the U.S. Air Force and Brian Elm in the U.S. Marines; his parents, Urban and Karen Kultgen of Whitlash; six siblings, Tammy (John) Beyer of Bozeman, Rob (Lucinda) Kultgen of Butte, Kent (Lyla) Kultgen of Stevensville, Boone (Marcie) Kultgen of Whitlash, Leslie (Alan) Peterson of Clyde Park and Wade Kultgen of Havre; his maternal grandmother, Caroline Hall of Rudyard; 19 nieces and nephews; his fiancée, Lisa Kudrna of Havre; and his pet dog, Harley.

Taun always referred to Whitlash as “home,” so it seems fitting that he is now coming home to stay.

A memorial fund is being established for Taun’s family by Lonesome Dove Concrete Pumping in Belgrade.

GREAT FALLS — Work has resumed on the Rainbow Dam powerhouse project, where a concrete pump operator was killed on Tuesday.

The family of 44-year-old Taun Kultgen told the Great Falls Tribune that Kultgen was killed after getting caught between his parked vehicle and another pump truck that was pulling out.

Cascade County Sheriff's Deputy Bob Edwards confirmed that Kultgen was pinned between a moving vehicle and one that was stationary. Initial reports from the sheriff's office said Kultgen was pinned between two moving vehicles. He died of massive internal injuries.

Kultgen worked for Lonesome Dove Concrete in Belgrade, one of the subcontractors on the powerhouse project. The dam on the Missouri River near Great Falls is owned by PPL Montana.

My condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace. Todd was he a member of this site? There are some pictures on lonesome dove's website of a 52 putz doing paving that look very familiar. Wondering if by chance he was the one that posted them.