The long-time owner of Pioneer Photo in Cooperstown died last Thursday afternoon when his car struck the rear of a manure spreader being towed by a tractor on state Route 28 in Milford, according to Otsego County sheriff's deputies.

The car, being driven by Manfred Weidemann, 69, was traveling north at about 4:50 p.m. when the accident occurred, deputies said.

His wife, Marie A. Weidemann, 64, was a passenger in the car. Manfred Weidemann was pronounced dead at the scene by Otsego County Coroner Jim Mageee.

The car became lodged under the equipment and hydraulic tools were needed to free the couple trapped in the car, deputies said.

Marie Weidemann was taken to Bassett Hospital in Cooperstown where she is in stable condition, deputies said. Manfred Weidemann was pronounced dead at the scene of multiple trauma by Otsego County Coroner Jim Magee, deputies said.

The tractor and manure spreader had entered the the state highway from one of the barns on the Jahnke farm and had signaled to turn left onto Eddie Martin Road when it was struck from behind, deputies said.

The couple was wearing seat belts when the accident occurred, deputies said.

The road was closed for 2 1/2 hours, deputies said, during the extrication and investigation process.

The Milford Fire Department was called to the scene, deputies said.

Units from Hartwick Seminary and Cooperstown Fire Department assisted with routing traffic, deputies said.

The investigation is continuing, deputies said.