Authorities: Rescue mission now just recovery operation for bridge jumper

NEWS RELEASE FROM ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

January 1, 2010

For Immediate Release:

On Friday, January 1, 2010 at approximately 10:15 AM the Orange County Sheriff's Office received a call of a person jumping off of the Veterans Memorial Bridge on Hwy 87 in Orange County. Deputies responded and observed a male in the water that had apparently jumped from the bridge and was attempting to swim. The deputies immediately notified the Bridge City and Port Arthur Fire Departments to have them respond with their water rescue teams. The deputies observed the person in the water for several minutes and then observed him go under the water and did not resurface.

Once the rescue teams arrived they began searching the waterway in an attempt to locate the victim. The search is being conducted by the Orange County Sheriff's Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Port Arthur Fire Department, Bridge City Fire and Rescue, and the US Coast Guard. The search will continue today until it is no longer safe to do so and will resume tomorrow.

The identity of the victim is not known and will not be able to be confirmed until he is located. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff's Office at 883-2612.

The investigation is being conducted by the Criminal Investigations Division.