UPDATE: One person dead after excavator overturns in Cape Fear River

The New Hanover County Sheriffs Office confirmed Monday that an excavator overturned in the Cape Fear River near Eagle Island.

LELAND, N.C. (WWAY) — One person is dead after an overturned excavator incident on Monday.

A spokeswoman for the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office said Austin Eugene Furner, of Carolina Beach, was killed.

Late Monday morning, emergency crews were dispatched to the west bank of the Cape Fear River, between the Battleship North Carolina and the Isabel Holmes Bridge.

Multiple agencies from New Hanover and Brunswick counties responded to the scene.

Initially, reports indicated that machinery was in a retention pond, but upon arrival, crews discovered that an excavator had overturned in the Cape Fear River.

At this time, the cause of the excavator’s fall and its duration in the water is unknown.

The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation due to the location of the incident.

We spoke with responders at the scene, including Chief Buddy Brooks from Leland Fire Department. He noted that since the excavator is sinking, stabilization is necessary before divers can be sent into the water.

A crane from Fayetteville has been requested to assist with stabilizing and recovering the excavator.

This is a developing story, and we will provide updates as new information becomes available.