NEWS INFORMATION FROM |
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THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED |
FOR IMMEDIATE USE |
RIVER SEARCHED AFTER LATE NIGHT REPORT OF PERSON IN WATERMayor Stephen R. Reed today said that city emergency response units were called to the river early this morning after witnesses reported seeing a man floating in midstream and calling for help. Crews searched until early this morning without finding a victim. Reed said just before 1:00 a.m. witnesses reported hearing someone screaming for help from near midstream around Front and Chestnut Streets. Responding police and fire units searched the area within minutes of the call, but no screams were heard and no victim or body was visible Harrisburg River Rescue crews then arrived on-scene and began searching the area around the Dock Street Dam with boats and advanced infrared search equipment, to no avail. Crews continued searching until after sunrise. Further investigation revealed that at least four different witnesses reported either seeing the victim or hearing his cries for help. A life preserver was found amidst debris at the dam, but it is unknown whether it may have been the victim’s. Witnesses who saw him said it didn’t appear he was wearing one. The Mayor said that if the reports are accurate and the victim did go over the Dock Street Dam, it is unlikely he survived and his body may now be trapped within the roiling waters of the dam, or may have floated further downstream. Area residents around the river downstream of the dam should now be on the alert. Past victims have usually surfaced after several days underwater, and public safety personnel will continue monitoring the site. Reed said police searched along the waterfront and bridges for any personal possessions or other evidence of a suicide attempt, but found nothing. The potential victim was identified only as a male, with no age or race given. The Mayor said if anyone has any information on a missing person or knows who the victim may have been are urged to call city police at (717) 255.3131. |
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