Search postponed for Putts Bridge jumper

LUDLOW, Mass. (WWLP) - The Putts Bridge in Ludlow has been re-opened after firefighters stopped searching for a man who jumped in the water.

Dennis Leger, Aide to the Springfield fire commissioner, told 22News that at 3:17 P.M., four eyewitnesses reported seeing a man jump off the bridge, and that the man was swept down the river.

Firefighters had seen the jumper go around a curve in the river, and then lost sight of him.

At the curve, the river turns into solid ice, and Leger says that they are concerned that the rushing water may have swept the man underneath the ice.

A State Police helicopter has been assisting firefighters in their search, but so far, they have been unsuccessful in locating the man.

The search was suspended around 5:20 p.m. when the sun set. Crews will be back Wednesday morning to resume the recovery mission.

The bridge had been closed for more than an hour following the initial report around 3:15 P.M., causing heavy traffic tie-ups in the area. Police allowed traffic to move on two of the bridge's four lanes around 4:30 P.M. If you are looking to get over the Chicopee River into or out of Ludlow and avoid that bridge's traffic you can instead take the Cottage Avenue/Miller Street Bridge in Wilbraham, or the Front Street/West Street Bridge in Indian Orchard.

Stay with 22News and WWLP.com for the latest details as they become available.