Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into the death of a 52-year old Florence man whose body was found in Coos Bay following an apparent accident while he worked on a lower maintenance bridge underneath Conde McCullough Memorial Bridge. The man’s name is released in this update. According to Lieutenant Steve Mitchell, on October 22, 2014 at 5:35 p.m., a report was received of a vehicle in the water under Conde McCullough Memorial Bridge located on Highway 101 near milepost 234 in Coos Bay. Upon arrival, emergency responders confirmed that a pickup was underwater below the bridge. U.S. Coast Guard personnel in a boat found a body in the water about four miles from the bridge. Fire personnel from North Bend Fire Department, North Bay Rural Fire Protection 2, and Lakeside Rural Fire Protection District responded to the scene with watercraft resources. A dive team from Lakeside Rural Fire Protection District checked the pickup about 15 feet underwater and confirmed there were no other occupants inside. The pickup was later recovered by Mast Bros. Towing. The deceased man was identified as MARK FORTUNE, age 52, from Florence. FORTUNE reportedly was working as a mechanic for the bridge contractor. The circumstances surrounding his death and how his vehicle went into the water are not known at this time. The incident was not witnessed and construction crew members spotted the 2001 Ford F250 pickup in the water but couldn’t account for FORTUNE. According to ODOT, Highway 101 remains closed at the McCullough Bridge following the incident that damaged a construction project enclosure attached to the bridge. ODOT estimates the bridge will remain closed to all traffic until late Friday. A detour along East Bay Drive is being used for local traffic. Motor carriers are advised to use Highway 42 instead of Highway 38. Questions regarding the bridge project and traffic restrictions should be directed to ODOT. Updates for traffic-related matters are posted on ODOT’s website TripCheck.com.
