A young soldier has lost his life when a fun Labor Day outing turned tragic, Muscogee County authorities said.
19-year-old Cutter Baird, a soldier stationed at Fort Moore, was having fun with a fellow soldier Monday afternoon when the two decided to jump off the Dillingham Street Bridge in Columbus, Georgia.
The bridge stands about 100 feet above the Chattahoochee River.
Coroner Buddy Bryan explained how Baird hit the water chest first and then managed to get out of the river only to collapse due to a lack of oxygen.
“Unfortunately, he landed like a belly flop. That’s like landing on concrete from that distance, which caused blunt-force trauma to his chest,” the coroner said.
Baird was taken to a hospital where he died. His death was ruled a tragic accident.
Bryan said he has dealt with several fatalities from bridge jumping warning youngsters from attempting the risky plunge.
“I would say, ‘Don’t do it.’ It only takes one time before it’s going to end your life.”
