No sign found of reported Ravenel Bridge jumper

Authorities searched the Cooper River on Friday afternoon after a woman reportedly jumped from the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge.

The waters were searched until after dark, but there was no sign of the jumper, Charleston police spokesman Charles Francis said.

He said dispatch got a call at 3:41 p.m. about a woman who parked her car at the foot of the bridge, on the Mount Pleasant side, walked up the span and jumped. Police from Charleston and Mount Pleasant could be seen during the ensuing hours, which coincided with afternoon rush hour, surveying the waters about 100 feet below, from both sides of the bridge.

One lane in each direction on the bridge was closed for awhile during the search, and traffic predictably backed up.

Police boats and some from the Charleston County Volunteer Rescue Squad, Mount Pleasant Fire Department and the Coast Guard could be seen searching the waters on both sides of the bridge. Many boats were deployed from the pier at Ripley's point Boat Landing in Mount Pleasant.

The very end of the pier at Waterfront Park in Mount Pleasant was cordoned off for use by officials connected with the search. Rescue workers, police and EMS personnel walked the pier while looking out into the water for any sign of the jumper.

The pier closed at 5 p.m., as scheduled, to the general public, but search crews remained there for awhile longer.