According to reports, Paul E. Wooldridge, age 77, of Russell Springs died Wednesday afternoon when his small fishing boat capsized near Wolf Creek Dam. Reports are that Wooldridge was fishing near the dam when his boat was apparently sucked in toward the turbines on the dam, causing the boat to capsize. Persons nearby saw the incident around 1:45 and immediately contacted 911.
The Russell County EMS and Russell County rescue squad responded. Coroner Mark Coot was also called and pronounced Wooldridge dead around 2:20 p.m., with preliminary cause of death as drowning.
Further investigation is continuing, led by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife and the coroner’s office.
