Dangers in "Bridge Jumping"

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Story Published: Jul 31, 2009 at 5:40 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jul 31, 2009 at 6:11 PM MDT

By Steven Pope

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ST. ANTHONY - "People have lived here all their lives and jumped off here as kids," said St. Anthony Police Chief Jim Smith.

But bridges don't necessarily cater to jumpers. Fencing usually lines them, and what's below is sometimes anybody's guess.

Smith continued, "You never know what's below unless somebody's dived right before, even then in a river you might have debris coming down when you checked it."

But bridge jumping isn't illegal here despite the hazards.

"Not only debris, but there's also rocks, and like here you have a pipe running across the river," said Smith.

And even though the river is upto 40 feet deep underneath bridge street, the inlet is narrow so you have to jump just perfectly in the middle.

"It's obvious you're not going to jump off onto a rock, but some of them are hard to see," said Smith.

If you're looking for a safer place to go bridge jumping, Vernon bridge in Chester has less hazards.

"You should know what's down there, either from somebody else down there, or having checked it out yourself," said Smith.

Regardless of the dangers bridge jumping will probably always be something locals do.

Bridge jumping is not illegal in most eastern Idaho communities.

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