Two groups join search for body of jumper
10/13/08 | 14 comments

Two groups join search for body of jumper


By Walter Griffin
BDN Staff
BANGOR DAILY NEWS PHOTO BY WALTER GRIFFIN
David Slagger (left) and Mat Lint, both Orono members of Dirigo Search and Rescue, discuss strategy before Saturday's search for the body of Mark Thomas Jr., 14, of Stockton Springs, who jumped from the Penobscot Narrows Bridge on Tuesday. The search team gathered at Sandy Point Beach about a mile downriver from the bridge. Their search was unsuccessful. Buy Photo

STOCKTON SPRINGS, Maine — A search team combed the shores and waters of the Penobscot River south of the Penobscot Narrows Bridge this weekend in search of a Searsport District High School freshman who jumped from the bridge Tuesday afternoon.

Although the official search was suspended temporarily on Friday, members of Dirigo Search and Rescue and the Down East Emergency Medical Institute of Brewer gathered at Sandy Point Beach to look for signs of Mark Thomas Jr., 14, of Stockton Springs, who last was seen leaping from the bridge.

DEEMI director Richard Bowie said 18 volunteers took part in the search. He said some walked the west shore of the river between the beach and the bridge, while others traversed the area on all-terrain vehicles or surveyed the river shore from boats. In addition, a DEEMI aircraft studied the area from above, penetrating the water by using electronic digital imaging to take more than 1,200 images below the surface.

The high-resolution images were sent to analysts at Volunteer Imagery Analysts for Search and Rescue, or VIASAR, in Ohio.

“They can determine from the images whether we have a body in the water,” Bowie said.

He said VIASAR reported back at 2:06 a.m. Sunday that “something of interest” was revealed in Gondola Cove about two nautical miles from the bridge. Although the group searched the area, by midafternoon nothing had been found.

“We've been out here all day poking around to see if we can find out what that image was,” he said.

In addition, Bowie said, a cadaver-sniffing dog that had been working the river for the past three days indicated “hits” at locations along the west side of the river. That area also was searched on foot and with ATVs. A Marine Patrol plane also took part in the search, he said.

A nonprofit volunteer search and rescue team with 100 members, DEEMI used similar equipment a year ago when a 3-year-old Fort Fairfield girl fell into the Aroostook River and drowned. The girl's body was depicted in images of Tinker Dam in New Brunswick, where it was recovered.

Witnesses reported seeing Thomas jump off the bridge at approximately 3 p.m. Tuesday. A Rockland couple told sheriff's deputies and rescue personnel that they were traveling in the northbound lane of the bridge toward Verona Island when the vehicle in front of them stopped at about the middle of the bridge and the male operator left the vehicle and jumped from the bridge into the river below.

Another witness told officers that he was in the observatory parking lot beneath the bridge on the river's edge and saw the teen go into the water.

The travel deck of the cable-stayed suspension bridge is about 155 feet from the surface of the river at high tide.

Boats from Prospect Fire-Ambulance and Bucksport Fire-Ambulance responded Tuesday and mounted a rescue effort along with boats from the Marine Patrol and Coast Guard. A Coast Guard helicopter and Marine Patrol airplane also joined the search efforts. An approximately 20-mile-long stretch of the river, upstream and downstream, was examined before the search was suspended that evening.

On Wednesday, the multi-agency search team, including divers from the Maine State Police dive team, returned to the river and conducted an extensive search. The team continued its search until it was suspended temporarily Friday afternoon.

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Comments
14 comments on this item
On 10/13/08 at 7:49 AM, Michelle wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Way to go DEEMI, Dirigo Search and Rescue, & VIASAR! We continue to pray for the family and friends of this boy. Our prayers are also with you. God willing you will find this boy and the family will find some peace in that. Thank you all for what you do! God bless you!

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On 10/13/08 at 8:51 AM, pcme2000 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I really hope that they find this young mans body. The family and friends need atleast that for some closure.

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On 10/13/08 at 9:02 AM, rbarlow94 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

i am so excited to hear that news, expecially a day after his memorial cuz i had been discuraged when i found out that they gave up on looking for him, it so surreal, i finally realized yesterday that he isn't coming back, hes gone forever, but i hope they find him soon so we can have a funreal for him.... R.I.P. MARK THOMAS

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On 10/13/08 at 9:30 AM, Adelaide wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

We are so fortunate to have the Maine Marine Patrol, Maine State Divers, Coast Guard, DEEMI, Dirigo Search and Rescue, VIASAR and all of the individuals searching for this young man and indeed whenever anyone goes missing. They give SO much of themselves, they can't possibly be Thanked enough. Sometimes it just takes time for a body to be recovered and I pray the young man will be found. My thoughts and prayers are with the young man's family and friends. God Bless.

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On 10/13/08 at 12:35 PM, magnum wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I sure hope that parents learn from this sad situation. I grew up in a similar situation, with divorced parents, who ran hot and cold. I have had to leave the area in which I grew up to try to have a normal life. I feel so sorry for his sisters, but I wonder if Mark isn't better off. I amin my 50's and can't seem to keep a normal relationship. RIP Mark

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On 10/13/08 at 3:25 PM, rbarlow94 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

magnum: its not his parents fault he did this....... do u even kno him? its no ones fault that he did this. and he is better off. mark was a great friend and we all miss and love ya mark R.I.P. MMT

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On 10/13/08 at 4:38 PM, jess72 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

First, thank you to everyone helping search for Mark. I don't know him personally, my daughters friend does. I have a child the same age and I have to say magnum I find your comment to be disrespectful especially toward a greiving family. I grew up in a divorced environment(never met my real father til I was 18) I turned out ok. Two of my kids dont live with their fathers and they are ok. My daughter was suicidal two years ago, and not because me and her dad werent together anymore but because of the tormenting and terrorizing that goes on in our schools today. So to blame this childs parents was just wrong... Maybe you should get some help for your problems magnum. My heart goes out to Marks famly....R.I.P. Mark

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On 10/13/08 at 7:45 PM, Retta77 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I know it is very hard to lose someone close in your family. I hope they find mark so the family can have some closer.

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On 10/13/08 at 10:26 PM, Johninphilippines wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

All these comments above mine reflect my thoughts and feelings, however this is such a sad issue to hear and especially to personally deal with. With the current flow in the river, it is difficult to say just where this boy would be, but I'am sure that the Good Lord is protecting his loving soul right now, and understands what his predicament here on earth was and forgives him.. At least, maybe the body will be recovered soon, as if he is underwater and not snagged on something, he will come up soon.

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On 10/14/08 at 8:19 AM, Arussell18 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Magnum: Mark was one of my best friends. It is very hurtful for you to imply that he is better off, and that it's his parent's fault. Honestly, I think you may have some issues you need to take care of. It's not okay that you would even think to blame his parents. They're good people, and they only wanted the best for Markie.

Anyways, thank you to all the people who haven't lost hope. People like you, give hope to the people who need it the most. You are greatly appreciated.

Rest in peace Markie. We miss you. Forever in our hearts. <3

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On 10/14/08 at 10:43 AM, CoastalGal wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

To Mark's family & friends: Don't give up hope. I lost my Dad to the ocean, it was 25 long, heart-wrenching days until his body was recovered. I just wanted to let you know you are in my thoughts and prayers. I pray that you will have at least some closure and be able to lay his body to rest. The Marine Patrol, DEEMI and all of the other search and recovery personnel and volunteers are incredible people (there really aren't enough words), they will do everything they possibly can.

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On 10/14/08 at 1:41 PM, crystalstafford wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I am a close friend of the family and even though it has been a long time since I have seen them, I would like to give my heart out to the family. I hope that he is found for closure and no one should blame the parents. As a parent, I know that we all do the best that we can and hope it is enough. Markie will be missed and I will be praying for the family.

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On 10/15/08 at 9:05 AM, Blondie_1718 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I agree with crystalstafford. I am best friends with Markie's sister, Liz. It's not the families fault. Markie did it for reasons and its his reasons. No one will ever know. No one should be the blame. I am full of hope and all my prayers go to both sides of the family. Markie was well liked and always will be remembered. I wish I could be there looking for him if I lived a little closer ... and I say good luck to everyone that is looking for him and he will also be in my prayers. I love you Markie <3 *RIP*

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On 10/15/08 at 3:54 PM, rbarlow94 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

No one is the blame and magnum i think you have serious problems and u need alot of help! u can't blame anyone for this. RIP MARKIE

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