Fatal Industrial Accident Under Investigation in Wicomico County
December 10, 2025/
An investigation is underway into the death of an 81-year-old man–Paul聽 Wayne Jones– after the excavator he was operating was found submerged in a pond on private property in Fruitland. The Wicomico County Sheriff鈥檚 Office responded yesterday, December 9th, after the property owner discovered Jones鈥檚 vehicle but could not locate him. A dive team later found Jones inside the submerged excavator, and he was airlifted to Shock Trauma, where he was pronounced dead. How the excavator entered the pond remains unknown at this time.聽
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Additional Information from the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office:
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On December 9, 2025, at approximately 1204 hours, the Wicomico County Sheriff鈥檚 Office responded to 700 Slab Ridge Road in Fruitland, Maryland for a reported industrial accident. Upon arrival, deputies met with the property owner, who stated Paul Jones (81 years old) had been operating an excavator on the property. The excavator was later discovered submerged in a 40-foot pond.
The property owner reported he was unaware Jones was working on the property that day. After noticing Jones鈥檚 vehicle parked on the premises and being unable to locate him, he became concerned and contacted authorities. A preliminary search of the grounds did not reveal Jones鈥檚 whereabouts, and members of the Salisbury Fire Department Dive Team were requested to respond and conduct a search of the pond.
Jones was subsequently located submerged in the pond inside the excavator by the Dive Team. He was transported by air to Shock Trauma, where he was later pronounced deceased. At this time, it is unknown how the excavator entered the pond or the circumstances leading to the incident.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Releasing Authority: Wicomico County Sheriff鈥檚 Office Patrol Division, Field Operations Bureau