The search has been called off and the victim is presumed dead.
Ludlow fire and rescue personnel search the Connecticut River Tuesday for a person seen jumping from the Putts Bridge between Ludlow and Springfield.
SPRINGFIELD – A search for a man who jumped into the Chicopee River Tuesday was been called off for the night and the victim presumed drowned.
"We are past rescue time. It is now a recovery," said Dennis G. Leger, aide to acting Springfield Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant.
Fire Departments from at least three communities searched for about two hours after hearing reports that a person jumped at about 3:15 p.m. from the east side of the Putts Bridge that connects Indian Orchard to Ludlow.
At least four witnesses saw the person jump off the bridge. He was swept underneath because of the current, Leger said.
“Someone saw him clinging to a branch, and he slipped off the branch and Ludlow Fire saw him swept away,” Leger said.
The Ludlow firefighter lost sight of the victim where the Chicopee River curves and no one has been able to see the victim since. Below that curve much of the river is frozen, making the search even more difficult, Leger said.
A Massachusetts State Police helicopter searches from the sky, as firefighters from Springfield and Ludlow look for a person who reportedly jumped into the Chicopee River Tuesday afternoon.
Ludlow fire and police departments combed one side of the river and Springfield firefighters searched from the other side. Several Springfield firefighters waited on the banks of the river in wetsuits in case the person was spotted, Leger said.
The Ludlow Fire Department responded with an engine, the ambulance and its boat. Firefighters were able to launch the boat into the water despite the ice, but were unable to locate any victims, Fire Capt. Joseph Crowley said.
Massachusetts State Police also assisted with a team of trained dogs and searched the river from above with a helicopter, he said.
Chicopee firefighters also responded. The city's dive team launched a boat downstream in the water as well, fire officials said.
The identity of the person who jumped was not known, Leger said.
Police closed the bridge for more than an hour while the search was being conducted. It was re-opened at about 4:30 p.m., Ludlow police said.