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Cobden man dies, cause still uncertain

By Tara Fasol, The Southern

Tuesday, November 18, 2008 11:19 PM CST

COBDEN - A 37-year-old Cobden man died at a St. Louis hospital Monday.

What caused the death of Tom Quertermous remains to be determined.

Union County Sheriff David Livesay said Quertermous, who was found by relatives, was slumped over the steering wheel of a tractor. He had been clearing brush Monday afternoon.

Quertermous was taken to Union County Hospital, where staff initially thought he had suffered a stroke.

He was then transferred to a St. Louis hospital, where Livesay said doctors found a small metal fragment that entered his body through the lower part of the head.

"I don't know much more than that," Livesay said. "I am waiting to hear more about it."

The sheriff said it was not a police matter and no foul play is suspected. He noted that police are not investigating the death but were on scene to help medical personnel.

"They found the sliver of metal and believe it could be responsible," Livesay said. "He was alive when he arrived in St. Louis. He was unconscious but breathing and on life support."

Medical examiners in St. Louis said no further information was available on the death Tuesday.

tara.fasol@thesouthern.com / 351-5824