Recovery Of Victim From River A Real Joint Effort

By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Benton County, Tenn.—The search and recovery of the body of a 21-year-old who jumped from the New Johnsonville Bridge in Benton County on Thursday was a massive joint effort by the area’s rescue squads, sheriff’s offices, fire departments and other first responders.
The 21-year-old male jumped off the bridge Thursday afternoon and search and recovery efforts have been underway 24 hours a day since then, under the supervision of the Benton County Rescue Squad.
Two cadaver dogs from the Cumberland K9 group alerted to the same spot on the river Saturday evening and divers and sonar were employed even as it was getting dark. A fisherman spotted the body early this morning.
Benton County Rescue Squad Captain Dwayne Presson said today that the body has been positively identified as the man who was seen jumping off the bridge. He said the family has requested that his name not be publicized.
The recovery effort involved human first responders as well as two cadaver dogs from the Cumberland K9 Unit, helicopters from the Tennessee Highway Patrol and Air Evac, and two planes operated by private citizens.
Presson said today his agency is very thankful for all the support it received over the past four days. “There was a Region 4 call-out and everybody responded,” Presson said. “We had rescue squads from Benton, Henry, Carroll, Perry, Hickman, Houston, Hardin, Hardeman, and Montgomery Counties. We had the fire department from Humphreys Co. We had TWRA out here at the scene.”
Everyone stayed on the scene throughout the recovery efforts. “All the units stayed here all night. It was a 24 hour deal,” Presson said.
The Red Cross was on site providing meals for the first responders and the McDonald’s in Waverly also provided food, Presson said.
Benton County Sheriff Kenny Christopher said earlier the victim was from Bruceton and originally lived in Milan. The victim was seen by witnesses jumping off the bridge located on Hwy. 70 E. Christopher said it is believed that he took his own life.
Family members of the victim had been keeping vigil at the scene, sleeping in their cars throughout the whole ordeal.
Presson thanked everyone for all their help and said it was a relief to be able to find the body for the family. “At least they’ll have a bit of closure that he’s been found,” he said.
Photos from the scene by Debbie Tummins showing first responders from multiple agencies and the cadaver dogs Molly and Tucker from the Cumberland K9 group.