Woman Survives Jump From Luther Draffen Bridge
Aug 16, 2012 | 1948 views | 0 0 comments | 8 8 recommendations | email to a friend | print
–Katherine Doty/ Tribune-Courier Volunteers from the Marshall County Rescue Squad head toward the Luther Draffen Bridge to retrieve the woman.
–Katherine Doty/ Tribune-Courier Volunteers from the Marshall County Rescue Squad head toward the Luther Draffen Bridge to retrieve the woman.
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GILBERTSVILLE — Marshall County EMS took a woman to Lourdes Hospital after she survived a jump Thursday morning from the Luther Draffen Bridge on Interstate 24 into the Tennessee River.

Lt. Brent White of the Kentucky State Police said the jump appeared to be intentional, possibly motivated by mental illness. He described the Livingston County Sheriff's Department as the lead agency in a non-criminal investigation of the incident. The Kentucky State Police and Marshall County Sheriff's Department provided assistance.

White said Officer Wes Babcock of the Calvert City Police Department first responded to the bridge. Babcock directed a tow boat in the river to provide assistance and retrieve the woman. Once on the tow boat, she was retrieved by volunteers of the Marshall County Rescue Squad.

"We're going to first make sure she receives a medical evaluation and get any treatment she needs," White said. "After we take care of that we will try to get her help for any issues she may be having."

White said the rescue squad provided some first aid, but did not know the extent of her injuries after the fall.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lists the bridge's clearance height at 87.3 feet at pool.
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