Emergency workers search the Kalamazoo River on Sunday for the body of Henry Byrd Jr. after he jumped from a bridge into the river and disappeared. (Kathryn Hemenway/For The Enquirer)

Kathryn Hemenway, The Battle Creek Enquirer, reports:

ALBION — A 14-year-old Albion boy, Henry Byrd Jr., died Sunday after jumping in the Kalamazoo River, according to the Albion Department of Public Safety.

The boy’s body was found about 10:10 p.m. about 31/2 hours after he jumped into the Kalamazoo River at Victory Park and disappeared below the surface of the water.

The Calhoun County medical examiner ruled the death an accidental drowning.

Chief Eric Miller said the boy’s body was found in about 10 feet of water and caught on a cinder block.

“It is an area that is within 25 yards of the dam and small falls and the current picks up in that area,” Miller said Monday. “It’s an area where people frequent and the problem is they jump and dive off the bridge.”

The drowning is the fourth in 17 years in the same location, Miller said.

Miller said the area is posted for no swimming or diving because of some areas of deep water, a strong current and obstructions under the surface.

Albion police said the boy, who was with some other youngsters, jumped off the bridge about 6:35 p.m. but did not resurface.

Two officers who arrived about 10 minutes after the boy disappeared went into the river and searched for 15 minutes but were unable to locate him. The boy’s father and some other people also assisted in the search.

Members of the Calhoun County Area Law Enforcement Underwater Recovery Team were called and three divers, along with support personnel on shore, searched the water for 21/2 hours, according to Lt. Matt Saxton of the Calhoun County Sheriff Department.

Saxton said weary divers were about to be relieved by a dive team from Jackson County when the body was found.

Officers from the sheriff department and the Michigan State Police at Battle Creek assisted, along with ambulance attendants from Albion and Marshall.

The boy’s funeral is scheduled for Friday at Grace Temple Church of God in Christ in Albion. Arrangements are by the J. Kevin Tidd Funeral Home.

Albion correspondent Kathryn Hemenway and staff writer Trace Christenson contributed to this report.

Originally published June 21, 2005

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