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Man ID'd After Asphyxiation In Pit At Central PA Garage: Coroner

A man repairing a water valve in his garage appears to have asphyxiated, the York County Coroner's Office announced on Wednesday, Nov. 1. 

A garage pit.

A garage pit.

Photo Credit: Vehicle inspection pit. (2021, October 19). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_inspection_pit

Kennith L. “Ken” Roach, 69, of Thomasville, was found face down in the pit where the water valve is located, according to the coroner's office.

Deputy Coroner Molly York was called to a fatality reported at his home in the 1800 block of Detters Mill Road, Washington Township around 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 31.

The coroner thinks he "could not easily extract himself" due to "constraints of the physical space," as stated in the release.

He was declared deceased at 4:21 p.m. due to accidental positional asphyxiation, according to York. There will be no autopsy.

The Pennsylvania State Police continue to investigate this deadly incident.

Ken was a retiree from BAE Systems and a class of 1972 graduate of Spring Grove High School, according to his obituary

"He enjoyed farming, John Deere tractors and collecting toy tractors," as stated in his obituary. He was also a member of United Steelworkers Local 7687, Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Assoc., Shiloh American Legion Post 791, and Paradise (Holtzschwamm) Lutheran Church. 

He is survived by his wife of 42 years,  Cynthia L. “Cindy” (Diehl) Roach, their son Jason L. Roach and his wife, Rachel A. of Dillsburg; two grandchildren; siblings, Joanne Roach, and Karl Roach both of Thomasville, Janice Rexroth and her husband, Martin I of York, mother-in-law, Dolores Diehl of York, brother-in-law, Ned Diehl and his wife Diane of Texas, and a niece and nephew, as detailed in his obituary. 

There will be a visitation starting a 10 a.m. on Nov. 6 at Paradise (Holtzschwamm) Lutheran Church, 3241 Church Road, Thomasville. It will be followed by the funeral at 11 a.m. officiated by  Rev. Sigrid Hipkiss. 

Click here to read Ken's full obituary. 

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