Here's an update on the man who fell into the Mississippi River early this morning.

Updates provide by local officials at the 1 p.m. press conference

  • Authorities said video shows a Canadian National Railway Co. employee falling from the railroad bridge into the river at 3:40 a.m. The fall appeared to be accidental.
  • The missing man's name still is not being released as the investigation continues.
  • The man who fell in the river was an operator of the railroad bridge across the Mississippi River.
  • The river search has transitioned from a rescue effort to an effort to recover the man's body.
  • The river's fast current prompted authorities to extend their search all the way to Bellevue, Iowa.
  • The stretch of river has reopened to barge traffic.
  • Search crews will work until 4 p.m. today if necessary. If a body has not been recovered, they will be pulled off at that time, with plans to resume the search on Tuesday morning.
  • The stretch of river will open to pleasure craft, particularly those seeking spots to watch the Dubuque fireworks, when search crews are pulled off.
  • Sonar is being used to aid search crews.
  • About 50 people currently involved in the search effort.

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