Cape Coral, FL : James Bates, 55, critically injured in lawnmower accident on NE 10th Place in Cape Coral on Monday, Aug 3, 2015

We're finding out more about the man injured Monday after falling into a canal while on a lawnmower.

Police say 55-year-old James Bates was operating a commercial-size lawnmower around 11:30am Monday in the 2100 block of NE 10th Place. That's when he accidentally drove off a seawall and got pinned beneath the mower in shallow water.

Three responding officers were able to quickly jump into the canal and free the subject from beneath the mower, then lift him over the seawall and into the backyard where Cape Coral Fire Department personnel performed CPR.

Bates was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries. He was listed in critical condition Tuesday.

"This was a fantastic team effort. As of right now, the subject's condition has improved since yesterday morning and he is alert and communicating with family and medical staff. The family has requested privacy at this time," says Det. Sergeant Dana Coston of the Cape Coral Police Department.

"It gives me the chills," said Maria Risch, a neighbor. She adds she couldn't believe this could happen to such a friendly face.

City workers nearby say they saw the man mowing the grass but when the mower stopped, they knew something was wrong.

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Man in critical condition after Cape Coral lawnmower accident