Bridge Jumpers Touch Off Multiple Agency Search

OCEAN CITY — Two men jumped into the bay from the Route 90 bridge on Wednesday evening, touching off a search and rescue mission by allied federal, state and local agencies, but the search proved fruitless.

According to Ocean City Police, around 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Ocean City Communications received a call that two male individuals had just jumped into the bay from the easternmost side of the Route 90 bridge closest to the resort. The Ocean City Fire Department fire boat and rescue swimmers, the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) and Coast Guard responded to the area initially and began a search effort to no avail.

The Maryland State Police Trooper 4 helicopter was then called to assist in the search and circled the area for about an hour, but combined search efforts were negative.

According to Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) Public Affairs Specialist Lindsay Richard, the bay waters were calm and clear on Wednesday evening and the assumption is the jumpers were likely picked up by another vessel prior to the arrival of first responders.

About The Author: Shawn Soper

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Shawn Soper has been with The Dispatch since 2000. He began as a staff writer covering various local government beats and general stories. His current positions include managing editor and sports editor. Growing up in Baltimore before moving to Ocean City full time three decades ago, Soper graduated from Loch Raven High School in 1981 and from Towson University in 1985 with degrees in mass communications with a journalism concentration and history.