Drowning victim found down river

The body of a 28-year-old man who had jumped from the Coulee Dam bridge June 26, was found Sunday by workers at the fish pens several miles downstream.

Jamie Williams had jumped from the bridge about 7 a.m., telling a friend that he thought he could make it.

He was later seen moving downstream calling out for help. Rescuers searched for Williams by boat, from along the shore and from a helicopter but were unable to find him.

His body was found Sunday near the fish pens, about a mile downstream of where Nespelem Creek empties into the Columbia River.

The bridge platform from which Williams jumped is about 105 feet above the water.

Colville Tribal Natural Resource officers had searched for Williams' body.

Coulee Dam Police Chief Pat Collins, who had talked with a man who had been with Williams at the time, said he told his friend that he thought he could make it.

When Williams climbed over the railing, his friend grabbed him and begged him not to jump. The man lost the struggle and Williams fell into the water.

The search went on throughout the day but was unsuccessful.