Posted 8:26 am Thursday, June 25, 2009
Troup Death Linked To Heat
By KELLY GOOCH
Staff Writer
TROUP - A man from the Troup area died Wednesday after spending time in the summer heat.
Staff Writer
TROUP - A man from the Troup area died Wednesday after spending time in the summer heat.
Smith County Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace Judge James Cowart said it all started when James Harlan, 37, went over to a friend's residence on County Road 2138 to work on a computer.
Harlan was talking with his friend as the friend worked on a fence, but became hot and decided to go inside, he said.
Cowart said when Harlan's friend went inside to check on him around 11 a.m., he found him on the floor unconscious.
Harlan's friend called 911 and started CPR, he said, but was unable to resuscitate him.
He was transported to East Texas Medical Center and died in the emergency room.
An autopsy was ordered, and his body was taken to the Southeast Texas Forensic Center in Tyler.
Cowart said although Harlan is a diabetic, it does not appear that Harlan's diabetes was a factor in his death.
Authorities are investigating the incident as possibly heat-related.
According to information from the National Weather Service, it was around 92 or 93 degrees in Troup at 11 a.m. with a heat index of approximately 101.
HEAT STROKE AND HEAT EXHAUSTION
Harlan's death is possibly the first heat-related death in the East Texas area this summer.
John Moore, public information officer for Mother Frances Hospital, said they do not see nearly as many cases of heat stroke as they do heat exhaustion.
People are more susceptible to heat stroke or heat exhaustion if they are older or if their health is compromised, he said, and dehydration can cause either condition.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion can include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, headache, dizziness and feeling weak while symptoms of heat stroke can include a very high body temperature, not sweating, flushed skin, hallucinations and disorientation, Moore said.
If someone is exhibiting symptoms of heat stroke or heat exhaustion, he said it is best to get the person inside or into a shaded area. Moore advised people to be aware of the outside temperature and to make sure they are hydrated before, during and after being outside.
If someone is going to mow their yard, they should do it early in the morning while it's cool, he added.
The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory Wednesday from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m., but officials say they are expecting dryer air to come through the Tyler area Thursday.
Christian Stapleton, forecaster with the National Weather Service, said heat index value in the area could reach 105 Thursday. On Friday, he said the temperature will probably be about 100 degrees, but the heat index value most likely will not get up to 105.
