UPDATE: 12:20 p.m. – Authorities have made contact with a man who jumped from the South Summit Bridge late Thursday, Undersheriff Bill Mueller said late this morning.
Leland Douglas Hurst Jr., was the subject of a search late Thursday after police received reports he planned to jump from the bridge, and then did. He was conscious and talking with officers after entering the water but floated away.
A relative called to report that Hurst had emerged from the river and was on foot. He was not immediately located but authorities later made contact with him and he was uninjured, Mueller said.
The incident began before 10 p.m when police received a report of domestic violence in the 1300 block of S. B Street, Ark City police chief Sean Wallace said. Those at the scene told police Hurst was distraught, had left the scene and was possibly suicidal.
Shortly thereafter, Wallace said, police received information about a man about to jump from the bridge.
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Search and rescue teams scoured the Arkansas River near Arkansas City late Thursday and early Friday after confirming a man jumped from a bridge into the river, authorities said.
It was not immediately clear where the man entered the water but a search included much of the area surrounding South Summit Bridge. Ark City police referred questions to the Cowley County Sheriff’s Department because the incident occurred just outside the city limits.
A sheriff’s deputy declined to comment but said a written statement on the incident would be issued later in the morning.
Around 10 p.m., officers responded to a report that a man had jumped into the river. After confirming someone had entered the water, sheriff’s deputies and Ark City officers used search boats to look for the man but had no success.
He is described as being in his 30s with long brown hair and brown eyes, according to authorities. He is approximately 5 foot 7 inches tall and weighs roughly 140 pounds.
Anyone who spots a person matching this description in the area of the river should call 620-221-5444 with information.
KSOK’s Shawn Wheat contributed to this report.
