<img src="http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/policeandfire.gif" border=0 > Coroner says ruling in death likely to be accidental drowning

July 01, 2009 01:12 am

— The Newton County coroner said he expects to rule the death of a 50-year-old Joplin man, who was found Monday afternoon floating face down in an outdoor swimming pool at his home, a case of accidental drowning.
Gregory Geiger was pronounced dead at Freeman Hospital West in Joplin, where he was taken after his wife and father-in-law found him about 4:20 p.m. in his pool at 4311 S. Sergeant Ave., according to Cpl. Chuck Niess of the Joplin Police Department.
Niess said police found no signs of foul play. The victim had only a minor abrasion on his head, possibly suffered in a fall, Niess said.
Coroner Mark Bridges said no autopsy was ordered. Bridges said his ruling on the cause of death will be accidental drowning unless information surfaces to indicate otherwise.