River search halted for man spotted in river

Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown Fire Department conducted a search late Friday morning for a male person of interest, that was spotted floating down the Jamestown River early Friday on floatation device.

City Fire Chief Jim Reuther says the search was halted at noon, Friday.

Friday afternoon Lt. Sheldon Mohr said the search, using the rafts covered the area from Nickeus Park to the area adjacent to Ernie Gates Field.

He said no body was found in the river, as the search was stopped.

He said it’s not known at this time whether another search will be started, or the possibility that a dive might occur.

Jamestown Police Chief Scott Edinger said Friday that authorities assume that since nothing was found in the river, that the man got out of the water and went home.

Police ask that if the man was able to leave the river and is safe to call Jamestown Police and let them know is okay.

Anyone with information is asked to call Jamestown Police dispatch at 701-251-1000, as the investigation continues.

Earlier Friday authorities searched the riverbanks, the dam and bridges and watched the river but were unable to find  the man.

Jamestown Police Lt. Robert Opp said at last report that there had not been a missing persons report filed with police.

The man talked to neighbors along the river bank, at Nickeus Park, and did not seem to be in distress,  and appeared to be intoxicated and asked for a beer.  Authorities were called to the area about 12:30-a.m. Friday.
 

Jamestown  (CSi)  Late Friday morning, the Jamestown City Fire Department deployed the Kodiak raft, on the James River, in search of a man that earlier Friday morning was seen floating on the James River in Jamestown.

Police Lt. Robert Opp says, as of late Friday morning, there had not been a missing person report.

Earlier Friday….

Jamestown (CSi) Jamestown Police is continuing with an investigation in a coordinated search for a man who was reported as floating in the James River, near Nickeus Park early Friday morning.

Lt. Opp says residents near the river called Jamestown Police shortly after midnight Friday, to report the man may have been on floatation device, and did not seem to be in distress.

Opp says neighbors  asked the man if he was alright, as the man reportedly asked for a beer before drifting past into the darkness.

A description of the man was not available, as the incident occurred in the dark with a fast river current.