The LaPorte County Coroner determined that two people died this week in separate incidents due to accidental causes.
A Michigan City man found dead in his Woodling Crossing apartment on Monday night died of cardiac arrhythmia that was caused by blood loss following a fall, according to a news release. Investigators believe that 57-year-old Russell Pratt may have fallen and suffered a laceration that caused the blood loss. Neighbors initially called the LaPorte County Dispatch Center to request a welfare check on Pratt as they hadn’t seen any activity from Pratt for several days.
The coroner also determined that 78-year-old Kenneth Bailey died as a result of asphyxiation. Investigators say that Bailey became trapped behind a tractor and an attached box. It began moving forward as he worked on it. The tractor traveled approximately 200 feet before coming into contact with a tree. Once the tractor became stuck on a tree, the tires dug into the ground piling up dirt in and around Bailey’s mouth and nose which caused him to be unable to breathe. The accident occurred at his home in the 16000 South block of State Road 39 on Tuesday afternoon. His ex-wife found him on the property.
