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Elderly Man Found Dead Next to Wheelchair After Surviving 2 Hours in Heatwave

Go Hui-gyeong

Published : Aug 7, 2026 9:24 AM

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The heat wave these days is even threatening people's lives. Was there an incident where a man collapsed and died on a road in broad daylight?

On the afternoon of the day before yesterday (August 5), a report was received in an alley in Gimje, North Jeolla Province, stating that a person had collapsed next to a wheelchair.

Dispatched firefighters and police officers found an elderly man in his 80s, identified as A, lying dead near an electric wheelchair. Upon checking CCTV footage, it was investigated that Mr. A was returning home after an outing around lunchtime when he collided with a stone wall while turning his electric wheelchair and fell onto the road.

Mr. A, who had limited mobility, was unable to get back onto his wheelchair on his own, and after remaining collapsed under the strong sunlight for about two hours, he ultimately passed away.

Police are investigating the exact circumstances, placing weight on the possibility that Mr. A died from heat-related illness after being left unattended without rescue for a prolonged period.

Police stated, "As soon as the investigation is concluded, we plan to relay the relevant details to the administrative authorities."