Sheriff: Missing JBLM Soldier Fell From Cliffs Into River

SHELTON (AP) — Deputies with Mason County Sheriff's Office's search and rescue unit and others have temporarily suspended the search for a soldier from Joint Base Lewis-McChord who disappeared while on a hike.
KIRO-TV reports that officials said the soldier was hiking with a friend Sunday near the High Steel Bridge over the Skokomish River northwest of Shelton. A sheriff's office spokesman said the friend told authorities that they had decided to hike in different directions for a time and that the man didn't return. The missing man's name hasn't been released.
The sheriff's office said Monday afternoon that evidence suggests the soldier fell from the cliffs into the river. Authorities searched the river with a helicopter. Over 150 soldiers joined the ground search while Olympic Mountain Rescue rappelled down the cliffs.
Authorities suspended the search because of narrow canyons and high water.