26-year-old man dead, search for younger brother continues after jump from ‘Jaws’ bridge
Authorities on Monday recovered the body of a 26-year-old man and temporarily suspended the search for his missing 21-year-old brother after they jumped off the “Jaws” bridge on Martha’s Vineyard late Sunday night and never resurfaced, officials said.
A total of four people went into the water in Edgartown around 11:20 p.m., including the two brothers, who were seasonal restaurant workers on the island, according to Massachusetts State Police. Two of the swimmers were able to make it to shore, while the brothers remained missing overnight.
The missing 26-year-old swimmer was pulled from the water around 9 a.m., the Coast Guard said. A search in the water and in the air for his brother continued throughout the day before it was suspended “pending further developments” around 3 p.m.
Troopers returned to the site on Tuesday morning with Environmental Police Officers to continue to search using a sidescan sonar.
“A sidescan sonar device uses sound waves to detect objects or anomalies in the water column or on the ocean floor,” a state police spokesman said.
Search crews are scouring a “very large” area,” the spokesman noted.
In a statement, state police said, “The males did not surface after jumping.”
Coast Guard crews from Woods Hole and Air Station Cape Cod assisted local fire and police officials with the search.
The names of the brothers have not been released. State police said investigators believe they were renting a residence in Oak Bluffs.
The American Legion Memorial Bridge, known for its appearance in the iconic 1975 thriller directed by Steven Spielberg, is located on Beach Road. It connects Edgartown and Oak Bluffs.
A young man who confused the Little Bridge with the Jaws Bridge and jumped into the water in Aug. 2020 had to be airlifted to the hospital after suffering a serious neck injury, the Martha’s Vineyard Times reported. Authorities told the news outlet that the man thought he was jumping from a section of the bridge that spans a deeper channel.
Rescue teams were spotted conducting emergency safety training in the water near the bridge in June.
There were no additional details immediately available.
An investigation remains ongoing.
UPDATE 4 - Our divers and Marine Unit crews have suspended search for second male for tonight. We will return tomorrow with @MAEnviroPolice to continue to search using side scan sonar. https://t.co/8qJbiwpEou
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) August 15, 2022
#Update: The @USCG has suspended the search, pending further developments, for the missing swimmer in the vicinity of Jaws Bridge. #SAR #MarthasVineyard
— USCGNortheast (@USCGNortheast) August 15, 2022
UPDATE 1 - Search units have recovered the body of one of the victims. The search for the second victim is ongoing. https://t.co/jLxqYeICGv
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) August 15, 2022
#HappeningNow: @USCG is searching for 2 missing swimmers in Edgartown in the vicinity of Jaws Bridge. Searching are CG STA Woods Hole, Air Station Cape Cod, CGC Hammerhead, Edgartown Fire, Oaks Bluff Fire, Tisbury Fire, Dukes County Sheriff and Mass State Police.#SAR
— USCGNortheast (@USCGNortheast) August 15, 2022
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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