Coast Guard searches Detroit River for worker who reportedly fell off Ambassador Bridge

CLEVELAND — Coast Guard crews are searching the Detroit River, in the vicinity of the Ambassador Bridge, for a man who reportedly fell off the bridge this afternoon.

The man's identify is not available at this time.

The communications watchstander at Coast Guard Station Belle Isle, in Detroit, Mich., was contacted at 1:45 p.m. by bridge security, who received a call from witnesses who reportedly saw a man fall from the center span of the bridge. The man was last seen wearing work coveralls. There is no more information about any other safety gear worn or utilized.

A Coast Guard boatcrew, aboard a Station Belle Isle 45-foot Response Boat-Medium, was already underway and was diverted to begin searching. A second RB-M crew was dispatched from Station Belle Isle, as was an MH-65C Dolphin rescue helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Detroit.

A Detroit Police Department rescue boat is on scene, assisting in the search, and they have a dive team aboard. Also searching is a helicopter crew from the Michigan State Police.

The center span of the Ambassador Bridge is about 150 feet from the surface of the water. The water temperature is 37 degrees Fahrenheit.

For more information, please contact Chief Petty Officer Gabriel Settel at 313-568-9519.

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