UPDATED: Chatham Bridge Shut Down for River Rescue

Update, 7:44 p.m.:

Stafford County Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief Mark Doyle said in a press release that Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to a water rescue in the area of the Chatham Bridge at 5:44 p.m. Wednesday.

The release said that the emergency communication center advised a male patient had allegedly jumped from the Chatham Bridge into the river.

"Upon arrival Stafford County Fire and Rescue personnel located a male patient near the Stafford Shore. The patient was immobilized, lifted to the Chatham Bridge and transported to Mary Washington Hospital," said the release. "Fire and Rescue units from the following station’s responded to the incident Falmouth, Berea, Stafford, White Oak, Medic 11, Fredericksburg Fire, Stafford Sheriff’s Office." 

Update, 6:55 p.m.:

Falmouth Volunteer Fire Department posted on Twitter that a patient has been removed from the water and was on the bridge at 6:33 p.m. 

According to police scanner traffic, Chatham Bridge has been reopened. 

Original Post: 

The Fredericksburg Fire Department and Stafford rescue units are working Wednesday evening to save a person in the Rapphannock River below Chatham Bridge, on the Stafford side.

Fredericksburg Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief Mike Jones said in an email at 6:26 p.m. Wednesday rescue efforts to bring the victim up from the below the bridge has shut it down.

The bridge should open shortly, Jones said around 6:43 p.m. Wednesday.

It's not clear how the victim became stuck in the water. The victim's gender and current status is unknown.

Patch will update this story with more information as it becomes available.

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