A 32-year-old Sikeston man is dead after jumping off the Old Appleton Bridge.

Perry County Sheriff's deputies said they got a call from a woman around 6:51 p.m., telling them that she and two other people jumped off the bridge.

The woman told deputies one of the men didn't surface after hitting the water.

Perry County coroner Herb Miller says the victim is 32-year-old Chris Grindstaff.

Those who live in the area say bridge jumping is a common sight.

"We see people jumping off these bridges all the time," said Amie Nesbit. "A lot of people come out to them and drink."

Perry County Sheriff Gary Schaaf says there is nothing safe about bridge jumping.

"Just having one last summer swim," Schaaf said. "You're not supposed to be jumping off of the bridge as the signs say. You're not even supposed to be in the park anymore after dark which it was dark."

Schaaf says it was probably more than just the jump that killed Grindstaff. He says the water is too cold and can lead to hypothermia.

"He and the other person had already jumped in and were waiting on the third," Schaaf said. "And while they waited he explained to them to hurry up because I'm getting cold."

Schaaf says people from near and far have come to that particular bridge on Hwy. 61 to jump.

The water is about eight feet deep and is not clear.

"This is a creek and there are things in the bottom of this hole that you could be snagged up on," Schaaf said.

Schaaf says most of the people who live in Old Appleton and other communities report the situation if they see people bridge jumping. "They usually call us," said Schaaf. "The communities spend a lot of money fixing up these parks like this one here in Old Appleton. They want to keep them clean and safe."

Perry County and Cape County sheriff's deputies rushed to the scene Sunday night. They then called in the Perry County rural fire department, East Perry County rural fire department, as well as the Cape Girardeau County fire department and dive team.

Searchers recovered Grindstaff's body just before 8:30 p.m. in Old Apple Creek close to where he jumped.

Officers say all three surfaced, then Grindstaff said the water was cold and went back under.

The coroner says Grindstaff's cause of death is drowning.