Walton County Sheriff?s Deputies continued a search Thursday morning for a man who went down in the Choctawhatchee Bay Wednesday night about 6:30 p.m. The man?s body was pulled from the water in the vicinity where he went under at approximately 8:15 a.m.
James L. Spears, Erica Cooper and David Henry were on the old section of the 331 Bridge when Spears jumped in the water Wednesday evening and went under, according to Sheriff?s Deputy Lt. Frank Owens. Spears? brother in law, Henry, jumped in after him. Henry held onto Spears for as long as he could, but finally had to let go to save himself, said Owens. According to Henry, Spears then went straight down in the water, which happens when the lungs are full of water, Owens said.
AirHeart, a South Walton Fire District wave runner, and Florida Game and Fish Commission assisted in the search. Currents in the area of the disappearance were running at an angle across the channel at approximately 4 mph Wednesday night. Rescue efforts were called off after three hours due to darkness and hazardous currents.
According to sheriff?s reports, Spears, 40, jumped into the water voluntarily. Suicide and foul play are not suspected in the death, but an investigation continues in the accident.
James L. Spears, Erica Cooper and David Henry were on the old section of the 331 Bridge when Spears jumped in the water Wednesday evening and went under, according to Sheriff?s Deputy Lt. Frank Owens. Spears? brother in law, Henry, jumped in after him. Henry held onto Spears for as long as he could, but finally had to let go to save himself, said Owens. According to Henry, Spears then went straight down in the water, which happens when the lungs are full of water, Owens said.
AirHeart, a South Walton Fire District wave runner, and Florida Game and Fish Commission assisted in the search. Currents in the area of the disappearance were running at an angle across the channel at approximately 4 mph Wednesday night. Rescue efforts were called off after three hours due to darkness and hazardous currents.
According to sheriff?s reports, Spears, 40, jumped into the water voluntarily. Suicide and foul play are not suspected in the death, but an investigation continues in the accident.