Tennessee

Officials searching for officer in Cumberland River

Associated Press
Published | Updated

This undated photo provided by the Nashville, Tenn. Metro Police Department shows Officer Eric Mumaw. Police say Mumaw died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, while trying to rescue a suicidal woman whose car went into the Cumberland River. Mum, 44, was an 18-year veteran of the department. (Metro Nashville Police Department via AP) (The Associated Press)

This April 27, 2011 photo provided by the Nashville, Tenn. Metro Police Department shows Officer Eric Mumaw, center, receiving the department's Lifesaving Award. Mumaw, 44, died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017, while trying to rescue a suicidal woman whose car went into the Cumberland River. (Metro Nashville Police Department via AP) (The Associated Press)

In this photo provided by the Nashville, Tenn., Metro Police Department emergency workers search for Officer Eric Mumaw on the Cumberland River Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017. Police say they have found the body of Mumaw, who died trying to rescue a suicidal woman whose car went into the Cumberland River. Mumaw was an 18-year veteran of the department. (Metro Nashville Police Department via AP) (The Associated Press)

Tennessee officials say they are searching for a Metro Nashville police officer who fell into the Cumberland River while trying to rescue a woman.

Metro Nashville Police spokesman Don Aaron said during a news conference that the officer was last seen in the river about 50 to 60 yards from a boat ramp. Aaron says officers were responding about 4:30 a.m. Thursday a call about a woman who relatives said was contemplating suicide. He said it appeared that she was about to get out of the car to go with officers when the vehicle went into gear and rolled down the ramp.

While trying to get the woman out of the car, both officers fell into the river. One was able to get back to get back to the bank.

Crews are searching the ground along the riverbank for the missing officer while a helicopter is flying over the river.