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Man transported by aid after jumping into Nooksack River from Ferndale bridge

Looking north toward Main Street from Cherry Street while the Nooksack River was flowing at just below 21 feet (February 2, 2020). Photo: My Ferndale News
Looking north toward Main Street from Cherry Street while the Nooksack River was flowing at just below 21 feet (February 2, 2020). Photo: Whatcom News

FERNDALE, Wash. — A man was transported to the hospital this evening with non-life-threatening injuries after jumping into the Nooksack River from the Pioneer Bridge (Main Street) in Ferndale.

First responders were dispatched about 5:40pm this evening, September 30th, due to multiple calls to 911 reporting a man had jumped into the river from the bridge and was perched upon a large rock in the middle of the river. Ferndale Police had been dispatched just before due to reports of a man sitting on the railing barefoot.

He was found sitting on a partially submerged large rock in the middle of the river south of the bridge.

As Whatcom County Fire District 7 crews prepared to throw life lines to the man, he jumped back into the river and swam to the west shore where WCFD7 aid crews were according to Fire Chief Larry Hoffman. He climbed out of the river and was escorted to an ambulance where any injuries and his physical condition could be assessed and treated. He was ultimately transported to PeaceHealth St Joseph Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

The man is suspected of being the same person that police, fire and search and rescue crews spent about 2 hours looking for after he reportedly jumped off the Main Street bridge at least twice on Wednesday, September 22nd.

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