Police investigate death of Huron County man
(HURON COUNTY) – Police in Huron County are investigating the death of a 72-year old Sheridan Township resident following an accident involving a septic tank.
According to Sheriff Kelly Hanson, around 1 p.m. Tuesday, the department received a call from a septic tank cleaning company worker advising he had found a Sebewaing Rd. homeowner deceased, partially wedged in the hole of an open septic tank.
Hanson said deputies and emergency personnel responded and learned the homeowner had an appointment to get his septic tank cleaned and had attempted to dig out the septic tank cover.
Investigators say it appears Ronald Sweeney may have been reaching into the hole while kneeling to pull the cover out and possibly lost his balance.
Hanson said it was also possible Sweeney may have had a medical emergency from the exhaustion of digging the hole in the extreme heat or sustained an injury to himself, with the way he was partially wedged in the hole.
Although fumes could have played a part in the fatal accident, Hanson said contrary to some reports, Sweeney was not, nor was he ever, submerged in the tank.
An autopsy has been ordered as police continue their investigation.
Other agencies responding were the Bingham Twp. Fire Department, Central Huron EMS, Harbor Beach Fire Department and the Huron County Medical Examiner’s Office.
