Man might have jumped from bridge
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Members of the Rock County Dive Rescue team discus strategy at the boat launch north of Four Mile Bridge on Highway 14 northwest of Janesville after someone reported a person jumping off the bridge.
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Janesville Fire Department dive team member Ray Plath pulls up to a rescue boat to get more weights while searching the water of the Rock River under Four Mile Bridge for a person who jumped.
JANESVILLE — Reports of a man jumping into the Rock River from a bridge northwest of Janesville remained under investigation Thursday night.
Two witnesses reported seeing a young adult man at about 3 p.m. on Four Mile Bridge along Highway 14, Rock County Sheriff’s Capt. Jude Maurer said.
One witness said the man was sitting on the ledge of the bridge and counting down with his fingers when he jumped, he said. A second witness saw the man pacing on the bridge.
Investigators don’t know the man’s identity, Mauer said.
It is unknown whether the man was attempting suicide or seeking a thrill, he said. It also was unknown whether the man was in the water during the search.
The bridge is about 30 feet above the water, which is 9 feet deep.
Rescuers and divers searched the river for several hours after the incident. Investigators also searched the banks of the river. The rescue mission later became a charge to recover a body.
Five boats and several searchers from the Rock County Water Rescue Team and Janesville Fire Department were at the scene.
TO HELP
Anyone with information about the man seen jumping from the Highway 14 bridge northwest of Janesville on Thursday afternoon can call the Rock County Sheriff’s Office at (608) 757-7944.
