EATONTON, Ga. (AP) Authorities say a 74-year-old woman froze to death after she tried to help her wheelchair-bound husband outside their in Eatonton home.
Putnam County Sheriff Howard Sills tells local media outlets that Maria Riffe died on Thursday while her immobile husband laid about 20 yards from her, both unable to help each other.
Eighty-six-year-old Roy Riffe was in a motorized wheelchair going down the concrete walkway at their home when he ran off of the walkway and fell out of the wheelchair.
Sills says Maria Riffe, who relied on a walker, fell while trying to help her husband, leaving both helpless.
Investigators say Roy Riffe was likely able to survive the night because he was wearing a jacket and fleece pants. His wife was only wearing a dress.