NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A man jumped into the flood control chute on Wednesday afternoon in an effort to avoid police and later found his way out while numerous police officers, firefighters and Department of Public Works crews looked for him.

 

Lt. Anthony Beverly said a patrol officer stopped a vehicle on Holden Street near Corner Market at about 1:26 p.m. and that after the vehicle stopped, a man jumped out and fled on foot. 

 

The officer saw the man jump over the fence and into the concrete flood control system, a 15- to 18-foot drop. The officer was able to positively identify him and confirmed that he had three active arrest warrants. 

 

Information was later obtained that the individual was seen entering a pipe large enough to allow human access.

 

Command staff from the Police Department, Fire Department and Department of Public Works and Mayor Jennifer Macksey arrived on scene shortly thereafter and began to devise a plan to search and potentially rescue the individual. After an extensive search that lasted hours, the individual was not located. The search took an extended amount of time because of the water level and current in the flood control system.

 

The Fire Department on Monday night had rescued two children who had been caught by the strong current and high waters in the Hoosic River in the West End. 

 

"While the identity of the individual was known to officers, we as first responders and emergency services have a primary duty to save and safeguard human life whenever possible," wrote Beverly. "We owe it to community we serve to ensure that the individual, while in the heat of the moment made a foolish decision, that they are not injured or in a situation where they cannot self-rescue due to the water level or current."

 

He said the first responders were ready to exhaust all means to locate the man but, after completion of the operation, they were able to obtain information that he exited the flood control system and is safe. By early evening, it was no longer believed he required assistance from emergency services.

 

Beverly thanked the city employees, Northern Berkshire EMS and Fire Department photographer and drone pilot Nick Mantello, as well as concerned citizens who attempted to help.