Community Corner
Search For JBLM Soldier Suspended: Mason County Sheriff
An unidentified soldier based at JBLM went missing Sunday while hiking with a friend in the area around High Steel Bridge in Mason County.
MASON COUNTY, WA - Search and rescue teams in Mason County on Monday temporarily suspended their efforts looking for a soldier from Joint Base Lewis-McChord who reportedly went missing near the area around High Steel Bridge while hiking with a friend on Sunday.
In a tweet, search and rescue officials said there is reason to believe the soldier fell from the cliffs into the Skokomish River below.
Mason County Sheriff's officials have not identified the missing man, though they did release his photo Monday morning.
Find out what's happening in Lakewood-JBLMfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
JBLM officials on Monday said right now they're hoping for a rescue and may provide more information on the situation later.
The area around High Steel Bridge is reportedly steep, rocky, and thickly forested, challenging search and rescue efforts.
Find out what's happening in Lakewood-JBLMfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
UPDATE: Just after 4 p.m. Monday, Mason County sheriff's officials said the search was being temporarily suspended until the high water of Skokomish River decreases, noting they have evidence that suggests the soldier fell from the cliffs into the river.
Search for missing hiker has been Temporarily suspended. Evidence suggests our he fell from the cliffs into the river. We searched the entire river from the bridge to the Hood Canal with a Helo. Narrow canyons and high water prohibits more searching until the water goes down. pic.twitter.com/Brpxntakc0
— Mason County Sheriff (@MasonCoSheriff) April 8, 2019
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