(WIAT) — The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a 47-year-old man who was found on a mining property near Oak Grove.
According to a release by the sheriff’s office, the man was found dead inside a fenced power station on the property Wednesday afternoon. Deputies were called to the 8800 block of Oak Grove Mine Road around 12:30. A family member reportedly discovered the man after he did not return home the night before.
There were wire cutters and pieces of copper wire near the body inside the fenced area. Authorities believe he was electrocuted while attempting to take copper wire from the power station.
Family members reported that they had last seen the victim the night before. He said he was going to look for scrap metal.
Officials are still waiting on the medical examiner’s report for the official cause of death.
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Man possibly electrocuted while stealing copper wiring from coal mine, authorities say
Updated on August 24, 2017 at 10:11 AM
By Carol Robinson
A Bessemer man was found dead Wednesday inside a fenced area of a mining property near Oak Grove.
The Jefferson County Coroner's Office identified the man as Ralph Henry Elliott. He was 47.
Sheriff's deputies responded about 12:30 p.m. to Seneca Coal Resources in the 8800 block of Oak Grove Mine Road. Elliott was unresponsive inside a gated power station and was pronounced dead on the scene.
Chief Deputy Randy Christian said Elliott was discovered by a family member after he failed to return home the night before. They said he had left home telling them he was going to look for scrap metal.
Wire cutters and pieces of copper wire were near his body, Christian said. "Evidence indicates that he was electrocuted while attempting to take copper wire from the power station,'' he said.
A conclusive cause of death is pending the results from Elliott's autopsy, which is scheduled for today.