UPDATE: 11:45PM
Cornell University President David Skorton has confirmed the death of Matthew Zika, a junior in the College of Engineering. According to Skorton, Ithaca police are currently investigating the tragedy. Neither the university nor the police have confirmed to WVBR that the body has been recovered.
Police closed off the Fall Creek Suspension Bridge and the Stuart Avenue Bridge before 4:00PM. Both bridges were reopened by 5:00. A helicopter was also at the scene.
Police were called to the scene because of a suspicious unattended backpack and jacket in the middle of the fall creek bridge.
“I walked up onto the bridge and noticed a backpack and jacket unattended, and no one else around. One of the zippers were open, we looked inside, and saw a lot of cash, wallet, and a cell phone. Another person walked up to us, told us he saw the same thing, got worried and called the police” said Alden Sonnenfeldt, a Cornell Freshmen.
Skorton also announced that Vice President Susan Murphy will be conducting a comprehensive review of the Cornell community's general welfare. He has encouraged students to utilize Cornell's health resources.
This death has been the third Fall Creek Gorge related incident this year. In mid-February, Bradley Ginsburg
’13, was found dead below the Thurston Ave. Bridge. This past Thursday, William Sinclair, was pulled from the gorge behind Risley Hall.
Stay with WVBR for more on this story as it develops.
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