ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, March 2, 1996 TAG: 9603040016
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: PULASKI
An unidentified woman jumped from the Peppers Ferry Bridge into the icy waters of the New River and died Friday afternoon.
Just after 2 p.m., Pulaski sheriff's deputies arrived to rescue the woman as she floated several hundred feet from the bridge, located near the Radford Army Ammunition Plant.
David Stowers of Pulaski was under the bridge showing his mother where he scuba dives during the summer and saw the woman walking along the opposite bank.
"Next thing I knew she was standing up on the bridge," he said. "I called out 'No, don't jump' and just as soon as I said it, she dropped into the water."
Stowers said he tried to use a stick to reach her, but couldn't find one long enough.
"I tried to step in, but I know about hypothermia and how quick that sets it," he said.
The woman was taken to Radford Community Hospital. Authorities were attempting Friday evening to identify her.
LENGTH: Short : 31 lines KEYWORDS: FATALITYby CNB