Coroner Reveals Autopsy Reports for Three Men Killed in Allegheny River Boating Accident

| August 23, 2016

investigationCLARION CO., Pa. (EYT) – Clarion County Coroner Terry Shaffer has released the results of autopsies performed on three men who were killed in a boating accident on Saturday..

Autopsies were performed on Monday at the Erie County Coroner’s office.

According to Terry Shaffer, the results are as follows:

  • Drowning was the contributing factor to the death of Timothy Jones, 62, of Tarentum. Additionally, Jones suffered from blunt force trauma.
  • Joe Wrbas, 48, of Butler, died from blunt force trauma to the face and the neck. It was determined that he had a broken neck.
  • Chad Wilson, 34, of Prospect, died from blunt force trauma to the head and the body.

The investigation will not be complete until the drug screening reports are received, which will take approximately eight weeks, according to Shaffer.

Shaffer said speed may have contributed to the accident.

The incident is currently under investigation by the Pa. Fish and Boat Commission.

The boating accident occurred on Saturday morning on the Allegheny River in East Brady, Clarion County.

The accident was reported around 6:55 a.m.

A river rescue crew and other emergency personnel were called to the scene.

One of the victims was completely underneath the boat, and the other two victims were partially underneath it.

According to Clarion County Chief Deputy Coroner Stom, the victims were pronounced deceased at 8:25 a.m.

A fourth individual was discovered pinned underneath the boat; he was taken to a Pittsburgh trauma center.

Authorities say the boat overturned near Phillipston – downstream from East Brady.

It is believed the accident occurred around 1:30 a.m.

No information is available on the condition of the survivor.


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