Cause of death established for Julius Askew, age 27, who expired 05/16/2008, Coroner Case C-1112-08

NEWS RELEASE

KERN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

CORONER DIVISION

This news release is prepared under the direction of the Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator for the convenience of news reporters.  Facts concerning news events of major importance, which occur after the preparation of this release, will be made available to reporters at their request as soon as it is possible to do.

DECEDENT'S NAME:  Julius Antonio Askew          CASE #: C-1112-08

CITY OF RESIDENCE: Bakersfield          AGE: 27 yrs.

TYPE OF CASE: Accidental Death

DATE OF INCIDENT: 05/16/2008          TIME: Found collapsed: about 1800 hrs.

LOCATION: Oil lease property, near McKittrick, CA

DATE OF DEATH: 05/16/2008         TIME: 1918 hrs.

PLACE OF DEATH: Kern Medical Center - ER

INVESTIGATING AGENCY: Cal-OSHA

Details:  Decedent was employed with ENSIGN United States Drilling (CA) Bakersfield, when on May 16, 2008 at about 1800 hours, he was found collapsed and unresponsive on ground, under flat-bed trailer, at above oil lease property.  Mr. Askew was flown by air ambulance to KMC-ER, arriving at 1916 hours, with core body temperature (greater than 108 degrees F).  Mr. Askew was later pronounced dead at 1918 hours by ER physician.

Comments:  Autopsy was conducted on May 19, 2008 with microscopic & toxicological studies performed over the past several weeks.   A cause & manner of death has now been estabished.  The cause of death is: Environmental Heat Exposure with manner of death: Accidental.

DONNY YOUNGBLOOD, Sheriff-Coroner

By: Kenneth Noack, Deputy Coroner

Date:  Thursday, July 03, 2008

Time:  8:02:16 PM