Working diver's body recovered - Ohio River, Kentucky

[DandyDon]

Body of Louisville diver recovered from Ohio River

The investigation is expected to take several months.

www.wave3.com

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - Officials confirmed the body of a Louisville diver was recovered from the Ohio River Friday afternoon.

In a release sent Tuesday, the Oldham County coroner’s officer confirmed William Keith Elkins, 58, was found dead by dive team members.

Officials said Elkins was working for a business located on 1900 Victory Court in Prospect when he failed to resurface.

Oldham County Dispatch received the initial 911 call around 12:46 p.m. on Friday, and the OC water rescue plan was activated.

Multiple units were called to respond followed by a specialized commercial dive team requested by the Incident Commander due to hazardous river conditions, the release said.

Around 8:30 p.m., first responders were able to recover Elkins’ body. He was taken to the Kentucky State Medical Examiner’s Office in Louisville and autopsy results are pending.

Multiple federal, state and local agencies are participating in the ongoing investigation due to its complex nature. The process is expected to take several months.

Crews responding to the initial search include the North Oldham Fire Department and their river response vessel, Oldham County Emergency Management, Oldham County EMS and the Oldham County Police Department. Additional assets were provided by the Louisville Metro Police Department Dive Team.

 

[DandyDon]

Oldham County Coroner's Office identifies diver who died after going missing last week

William Keith Elkins went missing last week but was later found in the Ohio River, according to the local coroner's office.

www.courier-journal.com

A diver died over the weekend after going missing in Prospect, according to the Oldham County Coroner's Office.

The man was reported missing Friday afternoon, according to a release from the coroner's office, after he didn't come up from the water while working at a business in the neighborhood east of Louisville. He was found later that day at about 8:30 p.m. by divers from different agencies.

The man who died was identified by the coroner's office as 58-year-old William Keith Elkins. His autopsy results are still pending.

"There are multiple federal, state, and local agencies participating in a very complex investigation considering, but not limited to, the worksite, equipment, river conditions, and human factors," the office's Tuesday statement noted. The investigation could take months to complete.

Oldham County Coroner David Pendleton said the incident is a federal case because it took place in the Ohio River.

The Drift Bar - Prospect Yacht Club posted a statement on Facebook on Saturday ahead of its grand reopening saying they had "lost a good friend" in Elkins, who had been working as an independent contractor in the area.

 

[DandyDon]

Electricity blamed...

Troubleshooters: Ky. issued stop work order to yacht club 2 days before diver was electrocuted

A state building inspector issued the stop work order because the yacht club had not filed for any building permits for renovations. The stop work order was a continuance from another order issued in November 2021.

www.wave3.com

 

[clownfishsydney]

This has happened many times. Electricity leaks from the boat or the power outlet on the marina into the water. Mostly it is the boat is still connected to shore power and there is a circuit set up which gets the diver when he gets close to the boat or touches it. Totally preventable.