Responders Search For Man Who Jumped In The Merrimack River

MANCHESTER, NH — Manchester Police, fire, AMR ambulance, and State Police responded to a report of a man who jumped off the Granite Street Bridge into the Merrimack River on Tuesday.

Responders arrived at about 7 a.m., and several witnesses said the man jumped from the South side of the eastbound span. Witnesses on the bridge confirmed they had a visual on him for approximately 200 meters when they lost sight of him.

Manchester Fire established an incident command on arrival. Companies launched two boats and focused on the area from the bridge southerly to the Fisher Cat boat ramp. Engine and truck companies searched the shoreline along the river on foot while MPD searched with a drone.

Fish and Game was notified and arrived on the scene at approximately 8:41 a.m. Firefighters continued searches until 10:15 a.m. The incident was turned over to Fish and Game as a body recovery.

Information gathered at the scene indicates the man was described as wearing a high-vis bright yellow top, dark-colored pants, and boots. Police recovered a backpack that was located in the area where the man jumped from.

The approximate 38-degree water levels are high, and the current is moving swiftly, creating a challenge for someone to survive.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news