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Neighbors have been paying tribute to Russell McKinney after he died outside of his home in the village of Fairfax on Friday, July 17
NEED TO KNOW
- A 58-year-old man died outside of his home in Fairfax, Ohio, during a flash flood in the area on Friday, July 17
- Neighbors believe Russell “Russ” McKinney was electrocuted while attempting to plug in his sump pump
- An investigation into his death is ongoing
An Ohio community is mourning the loss of a 58-year-old man who died during a flash flood last week.
The incident occurred on the evening of Friday, July 17, when Russell “Russ” McKinney was reportedly electrocuted outside of his home on Warren Avenue in Fairfax during a sudden flood, The Cincinnati Enquirer, NBC affiliate WLWT and CBS affiliate WKRC reported.
Neighbors believe he was electrocuted while attempting to plug in a sump pump, per WKRC.
As heavy rain and intense lightning hit the Cincinnati suburb, McKinney was heard screaming for help by his neighbors, who rushed to assist him, WLWT reported.
“I was sitting in the bedroom, and all of a sudden, I heard this most horrific scream that I’ve ever heard in my whole life,” Peggy Kersker, a longtime resident of Warren Avenue, told WKRC.
Kersker believes that McKinney was electrocuted as he attempted to plug in his sump pump after floodwaters had risen nearly halfway up his garage, according to the outlet.
Multiple people tried to help McKinney and pulled him from the water, per The Cincinnati Enquirer. A local police officer arrived at the scene and performed CPR as emergency services personnel were en route, but the victim was declared dead minutes later, according to dispatch reports reviewed by the newspaper.
The Fairfax Police Department had no further information to add, and the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office did not immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE.
The incident is the only reported death that was caused by the intense storms that barraged the region over the weekend, according to The Cincinnati Enquirer.
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Neighbors have been paying tribute to McKinney following the tragic incident.
“Russ was a good guy,” Robert Perkins, who had known the victim since he was 12, told The Cincinnati Enquirer.
In a tribute posted on social media, the Village of Fairfax extended its condolences to McKinney’s family.
“Several of us who work at the Village grew up with Russ and we are so saddened by this tragic loss,” the village wrote.
“The Village was hit hard on Friday and we are thankful to our Maintenance crew, Fairfax Police Department, Little Miami Joint Fire & Rescue District, Fairfax Civic Association and residents who stepped up to handle clean-up and assist those affected by the flooding these past few days,” the local government added. “The residents of this community truly care for their neighbors and are there in time of need.”
Read the original article on People
