Bridge worker presumed dead after fall into Columbia River
LONGVIEW, Wash. – A bridge worker who fell from the Lewis and Clark Bridge into the Columbia River is presumed dead, a spokesman with the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office said.
The man was identified as 40-year-old Charles William "Bill " Wiley, Jr. of Mississippi.
The company that employed the crew, Odyssey-Geronimo JV, released a statement saying they are cooperating with investigators and their hearts and prayers go out to Wiley's family.
A fellow construction worker called 9-1-1 at around 11:30 a.m. Sunday to report that Wiley fell from the bridge and was missing.
Wiley was part of a painting crew that was working on the bridge. He fell 210 feet into the river.
The U.S. Coast Guard and Cowlitz County sheriff's deputies began to search the river for his body. Local tug boat operators and recreational boaters also helped with the search.
Divers came to help, but said they could not go into the water because the section of the river was too dangerous. The river is more than 40 feet deep in that section, according to Chief Criminal Deputy Charlie Rozenzweit.
The search was suspended at 2:15 p.m. and Wiley was presumed drowned.
Bridge workers told deputies that Wiley was working on a platform directly under the bridge when he fell.
Deputies said there was nothing at the site where he fell from that gave any indication on how or why his safety equipment did not stop him from falling.
Fellow workers described Wiley as very safety-conscious and experienced at bridge work.
KATU's Dan Cassuto contributed to this story.
My step-dad worked with the man that has passed away   How about WE not worry about what should have, could have done, BUT instead pray for his kids, wife, mother, father, brothers, sisters and his family!!! He was a great man and will be missed! Prayers to his family
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 @terre08  @Michelle Comfort from other people goes a long way, instead of sarcasm. Yes - Prayers to his family that they are comforted as they mourn the loss of the man in their lives.Â
So very sad.
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I hope for his family's sake, they find his body.
I know this section of river very well and they will find him when and if he floats, that is that. Sympathy to the family.
There is a bridge here on Whidbey Island (Decepion Pass) and the bridge to water is 187 feet depending on the tide. There has been ZERO survivors from over 412 jumps. Many were not recovered because of the tides and the undertow. This man fell 210 feet and his chances of surviving is zero and depending on the tides and water curent may or may not ever  be recovered
 @Hachiko56 Maybe, though the Golden Gate clearance is 220 feet and there are occasionally survivors of attempted suicide jumps. Those who survive the fall typically perish due to hypothermia. The Columbia is much warmer than the S.F. Bay (today), so if, a) he was healthy when he fell, and b) he impacted the water legs first, and c) didn't get entangled underwater, then maybe he survived.
911 called at 11:30, and search called off at 2:15, presumed drowned. Less than 3 hours doesn't seem like a very thorough and exhaustive search.Â
My heart goes out to the family of this man who must be in a terrible state of anguish. Too many questions to be answered first before judgement can really be passed on what happened. I hope they can make some sense of it all as to prevent further losses.
what an idiot. the family should have to pay the rescue fees.
You are an ass..... I mean really, just an ass...
You are symply an ass.....
 @on shing dao I don't understand how you can be so ignorant and selfish. The man was at work and trying to make a living to support his family. Accidents happen....that's why it is called an accident. For you to post one comment about the cost of the rescue fees is just sick. Have a heart and think about the family who just lost their Son, The wife who lost her husband and the child/children who just lost their father.Â
You must be one disturbed individual if that is the one and only thing that comes to mind.Â
 @JustMe The irony is too much isn't it?
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Why was this man not wearing safety gear? Didn't the police and sherriff's department ever hear of a boat? This is what you get when you hire people for cheap wages and are too cheap to supply the equipment that would have saved this mans life. State contracts to the lowest bidders also supply the lowest form of protection. Had this been a union, he would have had gear and he would be alive today.
 @Wishspell The company is in trouble. I work for the company and they are to have there own boat under bridge when they have workers on bridge. That is a fact
@Wishspell . You obviously do not know what you are talking about. These are Union painters. I actually worked on that project. The proper safety equipment is issued, it is the ultimate responsibility of the employee to use it and use it properly. The individual who fell obvioulsly was not using his safety equipment issued to him. If his fall protection equipment was being utilized it would have saved his life.
So, next time you decide to make a comment do your homework first.
 @Kelly W. Hughes  @WishspellIt is Abhe & Svoboda They are not union I work for the company
@Mike @Kelly W. Hughes @Wishspell Mike, youy do not know much either. It is a Union job! It is a joint venture between Geronimo and Odysee. If you do not believe me check the DOT website. I worked there this year and left for another project. Abhe & Svoboda did not finish there job. Or better call the Union hall in Portland and ask them if it a Union project.
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@Petra, and how do you know that they wear their safety gear? You just happened to drive by at the right time and saw them wear it? And btw, learn how to write your sentences clearly. You are very hard to understand. Please note that if this man was wearing his gear, he wouldn't have fallen into the water. So what kind of excuse is this?
Deputies said there was nothing at the site gave any indication on how or why the worker's safety equipment did not prevent him from falling.
A Disconnected lanyard would be easy to spot and if he disconnected it then it should be in the safety report why not release the truth?
@Lee, my guess is they didn't have any safety gear and they will just let this become water over the bridge. Pardon the phrase but it's just going to be forgotten about.
 @lee986321 "why not release the truth?" Well they certainly aren't witholding the "truth" it's just not known at this time. Deputies are not experts on occupational safety, give it some time for the proper people to investigage.
Whatever the cause, this was a tragic event... Â Condolences go to this man's family and friends for their loss...Â
 @margay1 well said margay1....
He may have disconneted his lanyard for some reason and forgot to re-connect..you cannot get too comfortable working up high...or something may have broken too, equipment wears out and its not cheap so companies don't like to replace just worn equipment...they will be able to tell when they find him....So sorry to see hard working people die providing for thier Love ones....RIP....
Truly sad... I watched them paint the bridge in Astoria and the thought of walking around up that high... well... no way! It's definitely a job for those who love heights....
 @Funky-Munky ~  For sure..!   Years ago, I used to see those guys up there painting the Golden Gate Bridge ~  they were always working on it...they'd start at one end, paint their way to the other end, then start the whole process all over again... Heights scare me, so that's one job I really couldn't do.. but I have a lot of respect for those who can..!  Â
I am truly sorry for his (presumed) death, and have removed my previous smart-rear end comment!
 @jpk  Well done.
That's a bummer. I'm a tower climber and our saying is "tie or die". Gravity never takes a break and it's always waiting for a slip up. What a shame. I wish his family well.
The other day as I was driving over the bridge I was watching workers moving over and under the bridge and none of them that I could tell were wearing harnesses.
http://www.kgw.com/news/Reports--173038841.html
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 A man fell from the Lewis and Clark Bridge into the Columbia River around 11:30 a.m. Sunday and is presumed drown, dispatchers with the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Department said.
The US Coast Guard had a helicopter and a boat searching for the man but suspended its search at 2:20 p.m.
Workers on the bridge told deputies the man was working on a platform directly under the bridge. One of the workers looked over and saw him fall from the middle of the bridge's span.
Authorities are investigating what caused the man to fall. His co-workers described him as very safety conscious and experieced at bridge wrok.
Deputies did not release the man's name or any further information.
Articles without much info drive me crazy!Â
@Debbie457 Short drive?
No safety strap?
Why would you not be tied off properly!? OSHA will be all over this one for sure.
@NGerblansky  Not OSHA, it happened in Washington.Â
 @Debbie457 O = Occupational, not Oregon!
 @Mike And?
 I worked for the company that is working on this bridge for two years.
@NGerblansky @Debbie457 Whatever and whomever, the bottom line is he's unfortunately dead now! Someone or some agency will be investigating his demise.
 @Debbie457 WSHA?
lee986321,
Material Safety Data Sheet...we have binders for them. For everything used in the workplace.
@lee986321 @Jamie @Debbie457
Just FYI - - Fed  OSHA - Most employees in the nation come under OSHA's jurisdiction. OSHA covers private sector employers and employees in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and other U.S. jurisdictions either directly through Federal OSHA or through an OSHA-approved state program. State-run health and safety programs must be at least as effective as the Federal OSHA program. To find the contact information for the OSHA Federal or State Program office nearest you, see the Regional and Area Offices map.
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Both Oregon and Washington OSHA Approved sate programs - Wash. Department of Labor and Industries (DL&I), and Oregon OSHA.
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http://www.lni.wa.gov/safety/
http://www.orosha.org/
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 @Jamie  @Debbie457 But then again, those don't know of this entity would even know what an MSDS sheet is even if it meant it could save there lives.
 @Jamie  @Debbie457 OSHA! you know the same company that has OSHA goggles, OSHA vests, OSHA this and that!
@NGerblansky  Not OSHA, it happened in Washington.Â
 @Debbie457 WISHA then.  Splitting hairs, right?
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 @Riddler  @Debbie457 You did mean to direct it at Debbie, as she's the one who was confused about OSHA acronym, but there was no need to call her a "derp!" I must say, she handled your little put-down very graciously!
 @Riddler  @Debbie457 Why would you direct that at me, I'm not the one that didn't know what OSHA stands for.
@Riddler Oops, dumb move on my part, thanks for straightening me out!
 @Debbie457 Sorry Debbie, that was directed at NGerblansky.