Man Drowns In 600-800 Gallons Of Shit

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Man falls into 6-foot septic tank, drowns

SMYRNA -- A 45-year-old Western York County man drowned in his septic tank Tuesday in a case the county coroner called one of the most unusual he's ever investigated.
Ernest Lee Teague of 5100 Black Highway was working to unclog his 6-foot-deep septic tank around 1 p.m., but it's unclear what caused him to fall in, said Capt. Glenn Williams of the York County Sheriff's Office.

"It just appears to be a tragic accident," Williams said.

Based on minor injuries Teague received from the fall, it appears he fell head-first into the tank, estimated to hold 600 to 800 gallons, York County Coroner Doug McKown said.

"We'll never know whether he slipped or passed out," he said.

McKown said Teague's wife, Denise, told authorities she became worried her husband had fallen into the tank when she saw a dime on the lip of the entrance that presumably came from his pocket. She then got a tool and stirred it through the water, revealing her husband's hat, Mc-Kown said.

"You could work a whole career and never see anything like this," McKown said. "Beyond belief, really."

Teague, who was described as an all-around handyman, worked for the Carpenter and Millwright Local 312 out of Lexington, N.C., his wife said. When he wasn't working, Teague did remodeling jobs on the side, she said.

"He was just well-liked and well-respected by everybody," she said.

No Witnesses

Denise Teague said she and her husband were raising their two granddaughters. She and the granddaughters were the only ones home at the time of the incident, but no one saw what happened, she said.

"I hadn't heard him in a little while," she said, adding that she didn't know he had started working on the septic tank. "I didn't know he had the lid open."

As authorities investigated the scene, Teague's work tools -- including a plumber's snake he was using to unclog the septic system -- were still strewn around the 16-inch-by-16-inch tank opening.

As news of Teague's death spread, friends gathered in front of the home, near Smyrna, to help console the family.

"One of the best. Would give you the shirt off his back if you wanted it," said Danny Dover, 52, Teague's friend of nine years.

Dover said Teague was always willing to help others.

"Talked low. Never talked loud," Dover said of his friend. "One of the best-hearted people in the world."

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For some reason, this made me think of Delores Claiborne