Horrific accident at Illinois golf course leaves worker dead in pond after being pinned underneath lawn mower

By WILKO MARTÍNEZ-CACHERO, US REPORTER Published: 05:15, 25 May 2026 | Updated: 05:24, 25 May 2026 An Illinois golf course worker died in an awful accident after being trapped underneath a lawn mower inside a pond. Jay Roush, 64, was found dead on Friday around 12.10pm at the Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Paris, about three hours south of Chicago, according to the Edgar County Coroner's Office. The coroner said a 911 caller reported that he had found a golf course employee unresponsive and pinned underneath the mower in the water. Multiple agencies, including the Paris Fire Department and Police Department, as well as the Edgar County Sheriff's Department, were dispatched. Roush, of Vermillion, was declared dead at the scene, though it is still not known how he ended up in the pond. So far, the investigation has determined that another employee had gone searching for Roush after being unable to reach him on the phone. Roush and the zero–turn mower he was on were found in roughly three feet of water. Eagle Ridge Golf Course is an 18–hole course in eastern Illinois known for its elevation changes. It is not known where exactly on the course the accident happened. Jay Roush, 64, was found dead on Friday around 12.10pm at the Eagle Ridge Golf Course after becoming pinned underneath a lawn mower inside a pond Roush and the zero-turn mower he had been on were found submerged in roughly three feet of water at the Eagle Ridge Golf Course Roush's autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday morning in Springfield, Illinois, according to the Edgar County Coroner. His death is still being investigated by the coroner and the Edgar County Sheriff's Department. As of Sunday night, Roush was listed as having participated in the golf course's Wednesday night men's league with a 10 handicap. A public obituary said Roush had also been an inspector for GE Aerospace in Terre Haute, Indiana, having worked at the aircraft engine supplier for more than 30 years. He was survived by his parents Bill and Joyce and his sister Jan, as well as a nephew, a niece, great–nieces and great–nephews. Roush was remembered as an avid golfer and slow–pitch softball player. He was also honored as 'busy, upbeat, outgoing and sociable,' having been a lifelong member of Vermilion's United Methodist Church. The obituary noted that Roush had no children of his own, but that he found 'great happiness in … being a coach, role model, encourager, and friend to countless young area baseball, soccer, and basketball players.' 'Above all else, he was devoted to his family and seldom missed an opportunity to travel or spend time with them,' the memorial continued. Roush was survived by his parents Bill and Joyce, as well as his sister Jan, according to a public obituary Roush, with one of his great-nieces, was remembered by loved ones as 'busy, upbeat, outgoing and sociable' Roush's funeral will happen next Thursday, with the family requesting guests to wear casual attire or their favorite Chicago Cubs shirt – as that was his favorite baseball team. Tributes poured in for Roush across social media after his death. Shelly Gower Andrews, who identified herself as Roush's family member, said she 'never heard one bad word' about him. 'No one could replace Jay Roush,' Andrews wrote. 'He will be missed and talked about fondly for years to come.' Jeff Chambers, of Paris, said he was struggling to find the words to adequately honor Roush. 'Whether you were a family member, softball buddy, Little Leaguer, soccer player, basketball player, card player, golfer, co–worker, or a member of the church family, he showed just a glimpse of what God's love looks and feels like,' Chambers wrote. Another friend, Jake Phegley, said Roush had 'impacted [his] life on multiple levels.' 'Seeing this makes me sad,' Phegley said. 'He was a staple in the baseball community.' The Daily Mail has reached out to Roush's family, the Edgar County Sheriff's Department and the Edgar County Coroner for further comment. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.