SHAMOKIN -- As people brace for a record cold night overnight, officials in Northumberland County are investigating the death of a woman from Shamokin who apparently died of hypothermia.
Investigators would not say if the death is suspicious, but do say the cold is to blame.
Authorities say Ellen Jackson, 66, of Shamokin died after she was taken to the emergency room earlier this week. Her autopsy showed hypothermia and other pre-existing medical conditions.
Spurzheim Street in Shamokin was quiet on Thursday but one man who lives there says earlier this week an ambulance took one of his neighbors away.
Northumberland County officials say Ellen Jackson died of hypothermia. Her death is under investigation. The coroner says Jackson died Monday but an autopsy reveals hypothermia and other pre-existing medical conditions caused her death.
Newswatch 16 spoke with Dr. Douglas Kupas of Geisinger Medical Center. Kupas did not want to discuss Jackson's situation in particular, but he deals with many cases of hypothermia. He says early signs of hypothermia are shivering and mental confusion. Dr. Kupas also says pre-existing medical conditions like diabetes or thyroid disease can worsen the effects of hypothermia.
"On top of that, it's medications like mental health medications, alcohol or other drugs and then age, the combination of all of those, the more of those you have, the more of a setup you have to be unable to control your body temperature."
Dr. Kupas says prevention of hypothermia is extremely important. He advises friends and relatives to check on the elderly and make sure they have good sources of heat.
As for Ellen Jackson's case, it is still under investigation.