Bellingham man dies after Alaska bridge jump

Published 3:11 pm Monday, August 24, 2015

SITKA, Alaska — A Washington state man has died after a failed attempt to swim to shore after jumping off a bridge in Sitka.

Alaska State Troopers say in a web posting the body of 29-year-old Tyler Jones of Bellingham was recovered Saturday morning.

Authorities say he told a friend he was jumping off the John O’Connell Bridge in Sitka late Friday night, and he would swim to shore.

But he wasn’t seen after jumping into the water. The Coast Guard found the body Saturday and declared him dead.

Sitka police continue to investigate.