2 Howard County Men Dead in Snow Shoveling Incidents: Officials

Three men died in Howard County on Thursday, and at least two of the deaths were weather-related, according to the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services.

One man was shoveling snow in Woodstock in his driveway at 9:37 a.m. when he collapsed, and a bystander called 911, fire officials said.

The 57-year-old from the 1600 block of Woodstock Road was taken to Howard County General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, The Baltimore Sun reported.

Another man, in his late 40s or early 50s, was discovered unconscious in the 9700 block of Owen Brown by his wife, who dialed 911 after 10:30 a.m., according to ABC 2 News, which reported he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The two men had been shoveling snow earlier in the day when they went into cardiac arrest, officials confirmed.

Another man, a 55-year-old, collapsed in the 500 block of Southern Star Terrace at approximately 12:10 p.m. and was given CPR, then transported to Howard County General, where he was pronounced dead, according to WJZ.

It was "unconfirmed whether it was related to shoveling snow," the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services said at 4:57 p.m., adding that the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner had not yet determined the cause of death.   

County officials encouraged citizens not to overexert themselves shoveling snow, after the three men went into cardiac arrest.