A young Texas soldier tragically died on Labor Day after a jump from a 100-foot bridge went wrong. Cutter Anderson Baird, 19, from Goldthwaite, Texas, passed away on Monday after leaping from the Dillingham Street Bridge in Columbus, Georgia, which towers over the Chattahoochee River.
Around 2:00 p.m., Baird, who was stationed at Fort Moore, and another military member were having fun on their holiday when they made the decision to leap from the bridge. According to Muscogee County Coroner Buddy Bryan, Baird suffered serious injuries as he struck the water chest-first, like a "belly flop." He said that landing on concrete is similar to striking the water body from such a height.
Baird made it out of the river, but not before collapsing from oxygen deprivation. Sadly, despite being taken to a nearby hospital immediately, he did not make it. Officials declared that his death was accidental and that it was not a suicide attempt. Bryan asked everyone to pray at this sad time for Baird's friends and family.
There has been a history of tragic incidents at the Dillingham Street Bridge, the site of the tragedy. According to Coroner Bryan, this was the bridge's sixth fatal occurrence. He advised against attempting such jumps, warning of the river's dangerous conditions, which include strong currents and underwater hazards. "You never know about the current, sometimes it's shallow… there are logs down there," Bryan said, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of the water.
Beyond his time in the military, Baird was well-known for his passion for animals. At Rock-A-Roo's Animal Sanctuary, where he held the position of vice president, he was renowned for his commitment and diligence. He was referred to be the "backbone" of the sanctuary, which attributed its success to his dedication and devotion. Rock-A-Roo's posted a tribute on social media praising him for his unrivaled love of animals and pledging to carry on their goal in his memory.
To carry on the cause that Baird was so enthusiastic about, Rock-A-Roo's Animal Sanctuary was accepting donations through Venmo in his honor.
At 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 7, Baird's memorial ceremony was to be held at his hometown of Goldthwaite, Texas, at Stacy-Wilkins Chapel.
The soldiers at Fort Moore, where Baird was stationed, sent their sympathies to his friends, family, and fellow soldiers. The Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Moore released a statement expressing their grief at Pvt. Baird's passing and their condolences to everyone who knew him.