A tragic accident at an Illinois golf course has claimed the life of a 64-year-old worker who became trapped beneath a lawn mower in a pond. Jay Roush was discovered unresponsive on Friday around 12:10 p.m. at Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Paris, approximately three hours south of Chicago, according to the Edgar County Coroner's Office.
The coroner reported that a 911 caller stated they had found a golf course employee pinned under the mower in the water. Multiple emergency services, including the Paris Fire Department, Paris Police Department, and Edgar County Sheriff's Department, responded to the scene. Roush, a resident of Vermillion, was pronounced dead at the scene. The circumstances leading to him ending up in the pond remain unclear.
The investigation revealed that another employee had begun searching for Roush after being unable to reach him by phone. Roush and the zero-turn mower he was operating were found submerged in roughly three feet of water. Eagle Ridge Golf Course, an 18-hole facility in eastern Illinois known for its elevation changes, has not disclosed the exact location of the accident on the course.
An autopsy for Roush is scheduled for Tuesday morning in Springfield, Illinois, as confirmed by the Edgar County Coroner. The death continues to be investigated by the coroner and the Edgar County Sheriff's Department. As of Sunday night, Roush was listed as a participant in the golf course's Wednesday night men's league with a 10 handicap.
A public obituary noted that Roush had worked for more than 30 years as an inspector for GE Aerospace in Terre Haute, Indiana, an aircraft engine supplier. He is survived by his parents Bill and Joyce, his sister Jan, a nephew, a niece, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Roush was remembered as an avid golfer and slow-pitch softball player. He was described as 'busy, upbeat, outgoing and sociable' and was a lifelong member of Vermilion's United Methodist Church.
The obituary highlighted that Roush had no children of his own but found 'great happiness in … being a coach, role model, encourager, and friend to countless young area baseball, soccer, and basketball players.' It added, 'Above all else, he was devoted to his family and seldom missed an opportunity to travel or spend time with them.'
Roush's funeral will take place next Thursday, with the family requesting guests to wear casual attire or their favorite Chicago Cubs shirt, as that was his favorite baseball team. Tributes poured in on social media following his death. Shelly Gower Andrews, who identified herself as a family member, said she 'never heard one bad word' about him. 'No one could replace Jay Roush,' Andrews wrote. 'He will be missed and talked about fondly for years to come.'
Jeff Chambers of Paris expressed difficulty finding words to honor Roush. 'Whether you were a family member, softball buddy, Little Leaguer, soccer player, basketball player, card player, golfer, co-worker, or a member of the church family, he showed just a glimpse of what God's love looks and feels like,' Chambers wrote. Another friend, Jake Phegley, said Roush had 'impacted [his] life on multiple levels.' 'Seeing this makes me sad,' Phegley said. 'He was a staple in the baseball community.'
The Daily Mail has reached out to Roush's family, the Edgar County Sheriff's Department, and the Edgar County Coroner for further comment.
