A 79-year-old Mt. Vernon man was found dead in a small pond Tuesday night, where he apparently fell while cutting grass at his home off North Tolle Lane, about two miles north of Mt. Vernon.
Jefferson County Coroner Roger Hayse pronounced George Miller dead on the scene after he was removed from the pond by the Benton Dive Team.
Hayse says Miller’s wife became concerned when her husband had not returned home from mowing as it was getting dark. She saw the mower at the edge of the water and called for assistance. Jefferson Fire responded and called for the dive team to assist.
Hayse says it appears the left side of the mower dropped off the bank far enough that Miller most likely fell into the water while the mower stayed on dry ground.
Hayse was able to confirm the cause of death was drowning and reported no autopsy was planned.
Firemen received the call around 10 Tuesday night.
