An Auburn man was killed last weekend after his four-wheeler rolled over on top of him as he attempted to negotiate a curved embankment, the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office said Monday morning.

Lt. Michael Wellauer said Craig Lawton, 48, went out alone on an all-terrain vehicle trail near Denman Road in Brutus Saturday night and was reported missing by his son at 9:15 a.m. the next day when he failed to return home.

Nearly an hour later, a group of riders searching for Lawton found his body pinned underneath his vehicle, Wellauer said.

It was unclear how long Lawton had been trapped underneath his four-wheeler, Wellauer said.

While Lawton was wearing a helmet, Wellauer said the accident highlighted the importance of riding with a partner.

"I would like to recommend to other riders that they ride in pairs; that way help is immediately available if something happens," he said. "I am not saying that it would have necessarily made a difference at this point -- we don't know that for sure -- but (Lawton) was alone when he was reported missing."