Three Iowa Knife River – Midwest Employees Receive First Hero Awards

BISMARCK, ND – July 25, 2008 – Knife River Corporation recently announced the first recipients of the company’s Knife River Hero Award. Three employees from its Knife River - Midwest Division in Iowa were involved in life-saving actions in June, which garnered each man an award.

Tony Harris, plant foreman, and Troy Fadness, paving foreman, of Knife River’s Ottumwa operations, were first on the scene of a deadly car accident, June 9, involving a mother and her two young sons. Tony concentrated his efforts on the mother, while Troy helped rescue one toddler. Both men assisted rescue personnel, remained on the scene and helped with cleanup.

“I believe Knife River’s primary strength is our people and I am honored to have Troy and Tony part of the Knife River team,” said Knife River President and CEO Bill Schneider. “They were able to use individual first aid training and provide critical assistance during a crisis situation.”

A third Knife River – Midwest employee, Charlie Davis, who is the central aggregate manager at the Stratford, Iowa, quarry operations, helped save the lives of two men struggling in flood waters of the Boone River in early June. From quite a distance Charlie spotted the men clinging to a canoe. He called 911, tracked the men downstream and provided value information to rescue workers.

“Charlie humbly looks at his efforts as something anyone would do, however there are two men who are alive because of his attentiveness and quick thinking,” Schneider said. “Without him, the outcome could have been completely different and he deserves our recognition.”

The Knife River Hero Award is given to employees who perform acts of heroism during emergency life-saving situations.

Knife River Corporation is the nation’s 8th largest aggregate producer and markets crushed stone, sand, gravel and related construction materials, including ready-mixed concrete, cement, asphalt, liquid asphalt and other value-added products. It also performs integrated construction services. Knife River is an indirect subsidiary of MDU Resources Group, Inc.

Media contact: Pamela Trhlik, senior public relations representative (701) 530-1054; Pamela.trhlik@mduresources.com

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