Man Who Jumped from the Bridge of the Gods Sunday Remains Missing

Police say the distance from the guardrail to the water is approximately 145 feet, and the water temperature was reported in the upper 30's.

Photo: Oregon State Police

(CASCADE LOCKS, Ore.) - A man remains missing Sunday afternoon when he reportedly stopped his car on the Bridge of the Gods in the Cascade Locks area, got out and jumped over the guardrail into the Columbia River approximately 145 feet below.

According to Oregon State Police Sergeant Julie Wilcox, a man driving a 2006 Toyota Avalon four-door northbound across the Bridge of the Gods, stopped a stopped a short distance from the Oregon/Washington line.

Witnesses said the man got out and walked across the southbound lane where, without hesitation, he jumped over the guardrail into the Columbia River below.

Police say the distance from the guardrail to the water is approximately 145 feet, and the water temperature was reported in the upper 30's.

OSP, Skamania County Sheriff's Office, Hood River County Sheriff's Office, Cascade Locks Fire Department and ODOT responded.

Boats from Skamania County checked the water into the afternoon for any signs of the man. One lane was open for traffic until the car was removed about 1:00 PM.

OSP troopers located identification and a personal note inside the car on the seat belonging to the 50-year old man from Boring.

Troopers contacted some of the man's family members and were told he was last seen about 11:00 AM. The man's name will be released today after completion of family notifications, police said.