Bitter cold air kills elderly Tazewell County man

Posted on January 29, 2019
icicles
An elderly Tazewell County man died Tuesday from exposure to the bitter cold air. (Pixabay photo)

 

By Howard Packowitz

PEORIA – An elderly Tazewell County man died Tuesday from exposure to the bitter cold.

Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood said the man, 82, apparently fell Tuesday morning trying to get into his home in the 100 block of Lincoln Road in Marquette Heights. A neighbor found him several hours later and called 911.

The man was pronounced dead at OSF St. Francis Medical Center about 5:40 Tuesday evening, according to Harwood.

The coroner is waiting for relatives to be notified before releasing the man’s name.

In a news release, Harwood said being outside in the extremely cold air even for a short time can cause frostbite to exposed skin, and hypothermia can set in very quickly, especially in children and the elderly.

“Please use extreme caution when going outdoors to do any kind of activity,” said Harwood.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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