BUFFALO, W.Va. — Putnam County authorities say a man trying to save his property from rising water died when he fell into a swollen stream near his home Tuesday.
John Wilbur Mobley, 64, of Leon, was trying to remove debris from a bridge on Bear Branch in front of his home on 18 Mile Creek Road when he apparently fell into the water.
“He was removing debris to keep the water flowing away from his house,” said Putnam County Sheriff Steve Deweese.
Mobley was noticed missing about 9 p.m.
“Family members had checked on him twice and looked out the door for him a third time after about 20 minutes had elapsed and they did not see him,” Deweese said.
Members of the Buffalo Volunteer Fire Department responded and found Mobley downstream about .9 miles face down in the water and dead. Deweese said it’s unclear if Mobley fell into the water and drowned or if he was struck by something causing him to fall.
Mobley’s body has been send to the state Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.