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MSP Respond To Potomac River Bridge For Possible Suicide

April 17th, 2018 by WCBC Radio

At 9:55 p.m.  Hagerstown Barrack received numerous calls for a black male dressed in black walking on the northbound side of I-81 at the Potomac River bridge.  Two callers reported that the man was mid span and had his feet up on the railing and looked like he was going to jump.  Several Maryland State Police units were at the bridge within 1-2 minutes of the call but could not locate anyone on the bridge and no further calls received.  Troopers immediately searched the areas around the bridge but could not locate the pedestrian.  Berkeley County Sheriff's Office confirmed that they had seen a man matching the description walking near N/B I-81 earlier in the evening but had to respond to a higher priority call. 

Maryland State Police Aviation, Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Washington County Fire Rescue assisted with the search.  Trooper 3 helicopter searched by air and DNR and Washington Co. Fire Rescue searched by boat but were eventually forced to stop due to high dangerous water levels and poor visibility. 

Washington County received heavy rain this afternoon and the river level is very high.  Water temperatures of 52 degrees and ambient air temperature of 42 degrees.  The height of the bridge and existing meteorological conditions, survival is extremely unlikely, and the risk to searchers was exceptionally high to continue in the dark.  

Due to a lack of witnesses or physical evidence, and the risk to searchers, the search was suspended.  The Maryland Natural Resources Police will resume the search when able.

The Maryland State Police Hagerstown are asking for anyone that may have information that might help to determine the identity or whereabouts of the individual to please call 301-766-3810

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