Man Dies After Fall From Barge

The Coast Guard and a Pennsylvania coroner’s office are investigating following the report of a man who fell from a barge and died November 22.

Beaver County, Pa. Coroner David J. Gabauer confirmed the death of Kevin Childers, 42. The cause and manner of his death continued to be under investigation, Gabauer said.

Coast Guard spokesman Jonathan Lally said the Coast Guard was conducting a casualty investigation after Childers died while working on barges and apparently drowned. 

An obituary posted online by Wheeler Funeral Homes of Brilliant, Ohio, indicated Childers, of Weirton, W.Va., accidentally drowned while working on the barges near Montgomery Lock and Dam on the Ohio River between Monaca and Shippingport in Beaver County. He worked for John’s Towing Service in Shippingport. The obituary also remembered him as a generous friend, Christian and self-taught guitarist, bass guitarist, drummer, carpenter, artist and mechanic.

Local newspaper The Beaver County Times reported that the accident took place about 7 p.m. November 22 and noted the Beaver Falls Fire Department said Childers had already succumbed to extremely cold water temperatures prior to the arrival of emergency responders, including a water rescue team.