Postal worker dies trying to retrieve cell phone

NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- A postal worker has died after trying to retrieve his cell phone from a storm drain.

The incident occurred just after midnight, Tuesday, at the Miami Processing and Distribution Center along Northwest 72nd Avenue and 22nd Street.

Police said, Shelby Wing reportedly walked across the parking lot of a post office when he dropped his phone into a storm drain.

According to Miami-Dade investigators and a co-worker, Wing, 70, removed the cover from the manhole and reached in to grab his cell phone. "He fell in the manhole trying to get his phone, but he drowned," said the woman who only identified herself as "Gail."

Wing's family is in mourning after the sudden, tragic news. "Lovable person, he is always helping people, also children. He's a hard worker," said his wife, Kang-Cha Wing.

"He's a wonderful man, the greatest family man anybody can ever ask for, loved by his employees, his co-workers, almost definitely us also," said Ricky Munne, Wing's grandson.

Investigators said the drainage ditch had filled with water due to recent rain.

Rescue crews arrived on scene and pulled Wing's body from the storm drain. Miami-Dade Police said all early indications point to Wing drowning in the storm drain.

The Unites States Postal Service has since released this statement that read in part: "Postal employees are deeply saddened by the passing of their co-worker who was a dedicated employee for more than 25 years."

Wing had just celebrated his 70th Birthday over the weekend, and his family said he was supposed to retire last month but stayed on the job to cover for co-workers who were on vacation. "He's too much dedicated to postal office, but this make him happy," said Kang-Cha.  

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