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Milwaukee vacationer dies after falling 71 feet from drawbridge

A Rhode Island man vacationing in Milwaukee was walking on the drawbridge when it was lifted. later died.

Richard Dujardin, 77, from Providence, Rhode Island, died Monday afternoon in Kilbourne, downtown Milwaukee, according to a report from the Milwaukee County Coroner's Office. was across the Avenue Bridge.

Rosemarie Dujardin had crossed the bridge over the Milwaukee River, but her husband was halfway across it when it began to open.

Dujardin said, according to the coroner's report, "After hanging from a railing for a minute or two, he lost his grip and fell onto the pavement below.was acquired by CBS affiliate WDJT-TV. Reports say he fell an estimated 71 feet.

He suffered head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, investigators said.

The bridge is managed by the city's Department of Public Works, and his two halves of the bridge were taken from a boat by someone working remotely who has his two camera views of the span. Raised and lowered for passage. Investigators said the lights and bells were working as two sections were raised and the cross arms were lowered at both ends of the bridge.

Rosemarie Dujardin told investigators that her husband is deaf and uses hearing aids. The coroner's report said he was looking at his iPad while walking.

Police said in a statement that they had no suspicion of criminal activity but that the investigation was ongoing. Interim Public Works Commissioner Jerrel Kruschke said the employee who operated the bridge is in his fourth year and has done hundreds of bridge openings. He said employees took time off and offered counseling.

About half of the city's 20 bridges are remotely operated, the agency said in a statement, calling it a "safe and standard industry practice."

In February, acyclist fell and died when the drawbridge connecting Palm Beach to mainland Florida began to rise before it reached the other side..

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