A Rhode Island man vacationing in Milwaukee fell to his loss of life after a drawbridge was raised whereas he was strolling throughout it.
Richard Dujardin, 77, of Windfall, Rhode Island, was crossing the Kilbourn Avenue Bridge in downtown Milwaukee on Monday afternoon along with his spouse, in line with a Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Workplace report.
Rosemarie Dujardin made it throughout the bridge, which spans the Milwaukee River, however her husband was about midway throughout when it started to open.
Dujardin "hung onto the railing for 1-2 minutes, earlier than dropping his grip and falling to the pavement under," in line with the medical expert's report obtained by CBS affiliate WDJT-TV. He fell an estimated 71 ft, the report states.
He suffered a head wound and was pronounced lifeless on the scene, investigators stated.
The bridge is managed by town's Division of Public Works and its two halves are raised and lowered for boat visitors by somebody working remotely who has two digicam views of the span. The lights and bells had been operational as the 2 sections had been raised and crossing arms got here down at every finish of the bridge, in line with investigators.
Rosemarie Dujardin advised investigators that her husband was laborious of listening to and wore a listening to support. The medical expert's report stated he was taking a look at an iPad whereas strolling.
Police stated in an announcement that there isn't any suspicion of a felony act, however that the investigation continues. Interim Public Works Commissioner Jerrel Kruschke stated the worker who operated the bridge is in his fourth 12 months and has performed tons of of bridge openings. He stated the worker has been placed on go away and provided counseling.
The division stated in an announcement that about half of town's 20 bridges are operated remotely, calling it "a secure and normal trade apply."
In February, a bicyclist fell to her loss of life when a drawbridge connecting Palm Seaside to the Florida mainland started rising earlier than she may attain the opposite facet.