A 30-year-old Lacey man died Sunday morning after diving from a railroad bridge in Woodland, authorities said.
Michael George Fetchik II was swimming with friends, said Cowlitz County Chief Criminal Deputy Charlie Rosenzweig. He said the call came in at 6:02 a.m.
Rosenzweig said the bridge over the Lewis River at Dike and Kuhnis roads is commonly known as the “Ghost Bridge.”
Friends tried to help Fetchik to the shore but were unable to do so, Rosenzweig said.
Cowlitz County sheriff’s deputies, Woodland police, Cowlitz Fire units, and Clark County Fire & Rescue and Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office boats responded, with the first units arriving at about 6:10 a.m. The Clark County Fire & Rescue boat crew recovered the body about 7:20 a.m.
Rosenzweig said the man was not wearing a life jacket. He said foul play is not suspected but drug and alcohol involvement is under investigation. The bridge has a no trespassing sign, Rosenzweig said.
The Cowlitz County coroner will determine the cause of death, Rosenzweig said.
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