An Elderly Brother And Sister Died When One Fell Trying To Help The Other

An elderly brother and sister died when one fell over while attempting to help the other, Pennsylvania authorities said.

The bodies of Henry Shirocky, 87, and Lucille Shirocky, 82, were found in their South Connellsville home by a woman with a meal-delivery service around 12:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday.

"It is my understanding that the meal she dropped off for their previous meal had not been moved or altered, and when she checked through the window she observed the two individuals lying on the ground," South Connellsville Police Chief Russ Miller told BuzzFeed News.

"It is believed they were lying there for at least a minimum of 24 hours, if not longer," Miller said.

The police chief said investigators believe Henry Shirocky fell first, striking his head.

"We believe his death was relatively imminent because the damage was so severe," Miller said.

Lucille Shirocky, who was wheelchair bound, attempted to help her brother, Miller said, but also fell and became entangled.

Jessie Camilli, a Fayette County deputy coroner, told BuzzFeed News on Wednesday she was still awaiting the results of preliminary autopsies, but said the pair's deaths were being treated as natural or accidental.

She said Henry Shirocky had a "bump on his head" but described it as "nothing dramatic.

The pair lived alone, according to the chief, but their next of kin has been notified of their deaths.

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