Tragic Floorboard Collapse in South Carolina Reveals Hidden Well, Leading to Elderly Woman’s Death

In Salem, South Carolina, an 83-year-old woman tragically died after falling through rotting floorboards into a concealed well shaft inside a century-old house. The house, built in 1920, was being packed up for a move by the woman and her daughter when the incident occurred.

The daughter, unable to locate her mother in the crawlspace, soon discovered the hidden hazard. Firefighters worked for almost four hours to retrieve the woman’s body from the 50-foot deep hole. Oconee County Coroner Karl Addis, with over three decades of experience, declared the death an accidental fall and noted the uniqueness of such an incident in the county.

This case underscores the potential hidden dangers in older properties and the importance of thorough property assessments, especially in residences with historical significance.