Death investigation underway after man found under boulder near Columbus Riverwalk
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — A death investigation is underway after police found a body in a wooded area near the Columbus Chattahoochee Riverwalk, close to the JR Allen Bridge.
This is very bizarre. It’s an unfortunate accident. You can say he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Three seconds beforehand, if he was walking, it might not have hit him. Three seconds later, it might not have hit him. But unfortunately, he was caught.
Buddy Bryan, Muscogee County Coroner
Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan says the victim was crushed by a large boulder from an apparent rockslide.
Columbus Fire and EMS responded to the scene around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday. Authorities describe the recovery operation as a “dangerous effort,” taking around four hours to successfully retrieve the body.
Many of our firefighters have been trained in rescue type operations, and that can include a structural collapse or a trench rescue. So, understanding how to shore up the area and how to make the scene safe is so important before we go in and start trying to remove this victim. The last thing we want is to become victims ourselves.
John Shull, Columbus Fire Marshall Division Chief
Bryan says the boulder seemingly slid down onto the victim due to recent heavy rain in the area. The man’s identity is still unknown at this time. Bryan says the victim was a white male with multiple tattoos.
Some of the homeless people there stated that they thought his name was Willie, but that’s all they knew. [They] didn’t know a last name. [They] didn’t know the date of birth or anything about relatives. So, that might be a little bit of a hint for somebody that’s missing someone. They also said they hadn’t seen him for a while.
Buddy Bryan, Muscogee County Coroner
Columbus Fire Marshall Division Chief John Shull says anyone who frequents the area should steer clear.
When you’re back here off the river, you’re around these types of rocks. There’s always some potential that they’re going to fall off. Again, we don’t see this very often, but it is a dangerous situation. So I would advise you not to even come back here. Don’t try to take shelter around rocks. Certainly if they’re hanging over. They’re not supported. That seems to be what we see back here.
John Shull, Columbus Fire Marshall Division Chief
The victim’s body will be transported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in Decatur to be identified.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.
