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July 1, 2008

Recovery effort continues for diver lost off Jamestown

Bousquetaerials.com / Nate Bousquet
Fort Wetherill State Park in Jamestown, with its gun emplacements of steel-reinforced concrete, is seen in an aerial photo shot June 21 and featured in The Journal's South County icons today. The fort sits on 100-foot-granite cliffs, according to www.riparks.com, a Web site of the state Department of Environmental Management. It was a part of America's coastal defense system from the Revolution to World War II. It's belonged to the state since 1972.

JAMESTOWN -- Fire department boats, the Coast Guard and members of the Department of Environmental Management have been at Fort Wetherill State Park today, searching for a man who has been missing since yesterday.

The search for Derrick Cazard, 24, is now considered a “recovery effort,” according to DEM Lt. Michael Longtin. Cazard had been visiting the park with four friends yesterday. He jumped into the water from a 10- to 15-foot drop, according to the police.

Fog is hindering the effort, Longtin said, with visibility at 50 feet. The search is proceeding with caution.

Cazard was last seen face down in a crevasse. The rocky outcropping slopes in toward the water and signs in the area indicate that diving is not allowed. But it has long been a popular spot for such activity.

Authorities searched for Cazard until about 8:20 last night by helicopter and boat. Jamestown police will return to the site at about noon, Lontin said.

And DEM officials will return to the area periodically in the next couple of days to continue the search.

Read today's Journal story.

-- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson, with reports from Journal staff writer Katie Mulvaney

Posted by Brandie M. Jefferson  at 12:00 PM | Permalink

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