Mason County deputy hit by falling rock while trying to recover body under Steel Bridge
High Steel Bridge in Mason County, Washington. (File photo / Mason County Sheriff's Department)
SHELTON, Wash. - A Mason County sheriff's deputy was injured after being hit by a falling rock while trying to recover a body from the water beneath the Steel Bridge on Thursday.
According to the sheriff's office, deputies were on a recovery mission.
One of the deputies on the recovery spotted a body in the river. He went to grab that body and was hoisting it back up when a rock hit him in the head.
The deputy – who was wearing a helmet – fell about 20 feet. He was caught by another deputy but suffered severe head injuries.
A Navy helicopter assisted the sheriff's office.
The deputy with the head injury was then airlifted to Seattle's Harborview Medical Center. The extent of the deputy's injuries was not immediately known.
A second deputy suffered minor injuries.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.