Thursday, March 31, 2011

Man jumps into frigid river to avoid police

Authorities in Waterloo, Iowa pulled a man to safety after he jumped off a bridge following a car chase. The man, identified by police as 19-year-old Clifton Jenes of Waterloo, was taken to Allen Hospital for treatment after floating and swimming approximately 7 blocks in the frigid Cedar River. The incident began as a family argument. The man was at a relative's house with his infant child when he threatened to harm himself and the child, police said. A family member got the child away from the man, and he drove off just as officers arrived. A vehicle chase through downtown followed. The fleeing suspect collided with a car at the intersection of West 11th and Commercial Streets, and a police cruiser struck something on Sycamore Street during the pursuit. The fleeing driver eventually pulled over on the Fourth Street Bridge and jumped into the river, police said. He continued downstream, staying afloat through at least one set of rapids and eventually began heading for the north shore. Firefighters threw him a line, and he was detained when he reached land at the 11th Street Bridge. Waterloo police said charges are pending.

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