Search for Man, Presumed Drowned, Continues

The search continued Wednesday evening for a man who, witnesses say, may have drowned in the North Platte River.

Casper Fire EMS spokesperson Craig Kidder says that the focus of the search has shifted from rescue to recovery.  "We have three witnesses that saw him enter the water and not leave.  We are presuming that he drowned."

According to witnesses, the man, described has having been in his mid to late forties, was said to have gone under the water at just around three o'clock, Tuesday afternoon.

Crews from the Casper Police Department, Natrona County Sheriffs Department, and Casper Fire EMS searched the areas downstream from where the man is said to have gone under, until approximately eight o'clock Tuesday night.  The search resumed Wednesday morning.

Kidder went on to say that multiple fire units will conducting surface searches of the North Platte River in the mornings and the evenings, but that searches have been scaled back.  "At this time it is a recovery.  We're looking at a five to ten day window, with water temperatures, for the body to surface."

Emergency officials are still asking for any information the public might have bout the identity of the victim.  Kidder asks that anyone having information about the man or his identity, notify emergency dispatch.