Coast Guard finds swimmer’s body, searches for 2nd swimmer near Jaws Bridge on Martha’s Vineyard

EDGARTOWN, Mass. (WLNE) — Massachusetts State Police said Monday that they found the body of a missing swimmer, and are searching for another off of Martha’s Vineyard.

The U.S. Coast Guard said the swimmers went missing in Edgartown by Jaws Bridge just before midnight. According to Massachusetts State Police, the body of one of the swimmers was recovered at about 9 a.m. Monday.

Two men, described as young adults, jumped into the water from the bridge and never surfaced, said the Coast Guard.

State police are helping with the search, as are several local departments. Water and air units from state police were on the scene since 3:30 a.m. Monday, before returning again later in the morning.

“I like bridge jumping in general so it’s pretty scary to think that someone would be not only getting injured but also now missing,” said Andrew Hardisty, who was traveling to Martha’s Vineyard Monday morning.

People headed to Martha’s Vineyard from the New Bedford ferry on Monday morning were floored by the news of the search but added they aren’t entirely shocked to hear about it, saying in their experience jumping off the bridge, it can be dangerous.

“There is a pretty strong riptide that pulls you out. You normally have to swim pretty quick to the side,” said Lucas Rodrigues, who returned from Martha’s Vineyard. “It’s about 100 meters before the end of the waterway. I got ripped out all the way past that. That was pretty scary.”

No further information was immediately released.