Authorities were searching the Connecticut River Wednesday afternoon on suspicion of a person having jumped off the French King Bridge, though ice jams and heavy water flow prohibited the use of boats or divers.
Northfield Fire Chief Floyd “Skip” Dunnell III explained ice underneath the Route 10 bridge in Northfield prevented Northfield Dive and Rescue Team members from launching from the Northfield boat ramp. Ice also ruled out the possibility of launching from the Turners Falls Rod & Gun Club.
“The flow is too dangerous for boats and divers,” Dunnell said. “We’re not going to put anyone in the water.”
Massachusetts State Police, the Erving Police and Fire departments, and the Gill Fire Department assisted with the search, with personnel on the ground and halfway across the sides of the French King Bridge, which connects Erving and Gill. Some were using binoculars to scope the river and surrounding area. A drone shared by the Greenfield Fire and Police department was also deployed to scan the terrain.
Standing on the bridge’s south side, Erving Police Chief Robert Holst said he could not comment on the ongoing investigation, but said he eagerly awaits the installation of safety barriers to deter those looking to jump from the bridge. The project, which had been delayed after being kept off the state Department of Transportation’s Capital Investment Plan in the spring of 2020, went out to bid Jan. 8 and MassDOT will analyze and evaluate each one on March 1. Construction is planned for the summer.
Eighty percent of the project, which will cost at least $3.9 million, will be covered by the Federal Highway Administration, while the other 20 percent is funded by MassDOT, which owns the structure. The existing railings are approximately 3½ feet tall.
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 262.