Body found in South Merced storm pump

The body of a 78-year-old man was found early Monday stuck inside a city storm pump.

Merced police Sgt. Scott Skinner said investigators must wait for an autopsy later this week to determine the exact cause of death, but said initial reports do not indicate foul play.

“We haven’t totally ruled out that possibility yet, but at this point, it’s not considered a homicide,” Skinner said.

Police found the man’s identification and money on his body, indicating he had not been robbed. There were no obvious signs of injury on his body, police said.

The man’s identity has not been released, pending notification of his family.

A Merced city worker performing routine checks about 9 a.m. on the pumps near Riggs and West avenues discovered the man’s body, police said.

“It appears he may have been in there a few days, but we’ll know more after the autopsy,” Skinner said.

He had not been reported missing. The man’s neighbors told investigators he had a history of medical issues, police said.

Eight Merced firefighters responded to extract the man from the pump. City public works employees had to drain the pump before firefighters were able to extract him, Battalion Chief Don Roe said.

An autopsy is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday at the Merced County Coroner’s Office.

This story was originally published January 5, 2015 at 3:41 PM with the headline "Body found in South Merced storm pump."