Narrows Bridge jumper reported

PROSPECT – Rescuers from two counties converged at the Penobscot Narrows Bridge Monday night in response to a report of a person who jumped off the bridge.

Waldo County Sheriff Scott Story said his department received a report that a witness observed someone jump from the travel deck of the bridge. The report was made at 7:04 p.m.

“All we have at this time is a report of someone jumping from the bridge,” Story said late Monday night.

According to a radio alert that was broadcast to mariners at sea by the U.S. Coast Guard, the person seen jumping from the bridge was described as a teenage male about 5 feet, 7 inches tall weighing 180 pounds and wearing bluejeans and no shirt.

The person apparently jumped from the Waldo County side of the bridge, according to Story.

The Bucksport Fire Department launched a boat to search the area and the Marine Patrol dispatched another vessel from Rockland to assist in the search.

Story said that Sgt. Mark Shade and Deputy Glenn Graff also responded to the call. Stockton Springs had an ambulance standing by at the scene.

The $85 million bridge, which replaced the Waldo-Hancock Bridge built in 1931, spans the Penobscot River between the Waldo County town of Prospect and the Hancock County town of Verona Island.

Under construction for nearly three years, the 2,120-foot span opened to traffic on Dec. 30. The travel deck is more than 100 feet above the river.