Man dies after jumping from Bridge Street Bridge

SANDPOINT — A Sagle man presumably drowned early Saturday morning after jumping from the Bridge Street Bridge.

The victim was identified by Sandpoint Police as Patrick R. Orton, 25.

Orton and at least one other person were walking across the span shortly after 2 a.m. when Orton decided to jump from the north side of the bridge, Police Chief Corey Coon said.

After jumping, Coon said Orton’s companion lost sight of him from the bridge deck, but later spotted him in Sand Creek.

“They found the deceased submerged in the water,” said Coon.

Orton was taken to Kootenai Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

There were reports that Orton broke his neck, although Coon said there were no obvious signs of trauma and preliminary evidence suggests that Orton drowned.

“It’s my understanding that alcohol was a factor,” said Coon.

The Kootenai County Coroner’s Office is investigating the death, as is the Sandpoint Police Department.

It’s the first time in as long as a decade since a person died in a plunge from Bridge Street Bridge. The last reported fatality occurred when a suicidal subject leapt from the span in the wintertime and was killed.

There have been a number of close calls, however.

In 2009, a man narrowly escaped serious injury or death after jumping from the bridge and barely missing a sheriff’s marine patrol vessel that happened to be passing beneath the bridge.

Coon said his department does not get a lot of reports about people jumping from the bridge, but such reports are not unheard of.

City code prohibits jumping or diving from any bridge, railroad trestle or any other elevated infrastructure. Signs are posted on Bridge Street Bridge to remind people that jumping from it is illegal.

Although the creek below is as deep as 12 feet in the vicinity of the bridge, the channel of Sand Creek was modified by dredging and filling to accommodate the U.S. Highway 95 bypass.

Orton’s grief-stricken friends and family have taken to the social networking site Facebook to offer condolences, remembrances and prayers for Orton.

A post attributed to Orton’s family read:

“It is with great sadness that we must tell you that the brilliant light he was on this planet has been extinguished and is lighting some other realm.

“He has passed from our presence. Please join us in filling this painful time with love in your hearts for him and speak with each other about his magnificent presence in our lives so that he will indeed live forever.”