WHITE CO., Ill. - White County Sheriff Doug Maier has released information on the search for a man who jumped into the water yesterday at the Skillet Fork Bridge and has yet to be located.
Maier said that at about 4:51 p.m. yesterday (Thursday, June 14) Which County Sheriff's Officials responded to a 911 call of a subject having jumped off the Skillet Fork Bridge on County Road 2100N approximately three-quarters of a mile east of CR250E.
A witness advised that Dwight Tullis, 65, had stopped a vehicle on the bridge and jumped over the south side of the bridge. He advised that he heard Tullis hit the water and a short time later observed Tullis' head emerge from the water. The witness then advised that he saw Tullis go under water again and did not see him resurface after this.
The sheriff's office was assisted by the White County Ambulance Service, Enfield Fire Department, Illinois Department of Conservation, Fairfield Rural Fire Department and numerous people from the area.
Several boats were put in the water, from Department of Conservation, Fairfield Rural Fire, White County Ambulance and Enfield Fire Department. Also some local citizens assisted with boats and 4-wheelers to search the bank area. Sonar equipment was utilized to search the river bottom.
Unfortunately, Mr. Tulllis was not located. Efforts resumed today with Department of Conservation again placing a boat in the water.