MILWAUKEE (AP) - A Rhode Island man vacationing in Milwaukee fell to his death after a drawbridge was raised while he was walking across it. He also questioned Public Works policies in operating the Kilbourn bridge remotely. Richard Dujardin, a longtime religion reporter for the Providence Journal, fell back . They had six children and were married for 54 years. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the operator is now on leave. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as 77-year-old Richard Charles Dujardin. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's report indicates the bridge's lights lit up, the bells sounded, and the gates came down at each end; however, family members say Dujardin was hard of hearing. According to the Milwaukee Police Department, a 20-year-old Milwaukee man was shot around 4:45 p.m. He grabbed onto the side rail, but ultimately lost his grip and fell onto the pavement below," the report says. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. An MPD spokesperson said in a statement sent to Newsweek: "At this time, there is no suspicion of criminal act; however, the investigation is ongoing. The family of Richard Dujardin, the man killed on the Kilbourn Avenue drawbridge Monday met with Milwaukee police Wednesday. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPA statement from DPW to the TV station says their employee working during the incident was fully trained and working on his fourth year as a bridge operator. (FOX6 News (WITI)). MILWAUKEE (AP) - A Rhode Island man vacationing in Milwaukee fell to his death after a drawbridge was raised while he was walking across it. Dujardin and his wife, Rose-Marie Dujardin, were due to fly home to Rhode Island on Monday, but wanted to make it to mass at a nearby church before they left. The fatal accident happened Monday as Providence resident Richard Dujardin was taking a walk with his wife, crossing a bridge that spans the Milwaukee River, according to police. The retiree was looking at his iPad when the bridge began to open, according to the medical examiner's report. Dujardin served as a religion writer at the Providence Journal for more than 47 years. It is unclear why the bridges operator didnt see the man as he was crossing the bridge. But Dujardin was hard of hearing - "it is thought that he didn't notice them," according to the ME. Interim Public Works Commissioner Jerrel Kruschke said the employee who operated the bridge is in his fourth year and has conducted hundreds of bridge openings. Show Transcript. He and his wife Rosemarie did everything together. The last thing he said to me was that my mom was a hero," Richard's son Jean-Paul recalled. By Associated Press Aug. 16, 2022 "Who is the vendor that installed these videos? His wife told investigators that her husband was usually a slow walker and wore a hearing aid. The medical examiner said Dujardin was looking at an iPad as he was crossing the drawbridge. August 16, 2022. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! He was walking over the Kilbourn Avenue bridge on his way to church when the bridge started rising. An 18-year-old man died following a crash on Milwaukee's north side that left two others injured and one man in custody, police say. Milwaukee police attempted CPR, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. 0. The bridge is controlled remotely by the city's Department of Public Works, the report stated. Richard Dujardin, 77, of Providence . About seven drawbridges, including the one Dujardin was on, are operated remotely from a location on Water Street. According to local ABC affiliate, WISN 12, police said the man died at the scene. WATCH: Video appears to show a man on the Kilbourn bridge as it begins to rise. A Rhode Island man vacationing in Milwaukee fell to his death after a drawbridge was raised while he was walking across it. Just after noon Monday . Richard Dujardin, 77, of Providence, Rhode Island, was crossing the Kilbourn Avenue Bridge in downtown Milwaukee on Monday afternoon with his wife, according to a Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office [] He also would like to find the woman in scrubswho helped comfort Rose-Marie Dujardin in the aftermath of the fall. Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip. MILWAUKEE (AP) - A Rhode Island man vacationing in Milwaukee fell to his death after a drawbridge was raised while he was walking across it. He hung on for 1-2 minutes, but "ultimately lost his grip" and fell about 71 feet. Dujardin held on for one or two minutes before he lost his grip and fell. But he wasn't fast enough. Who set up this system?". A n elderly man died Monday after he plummeted roughly 70 feet when a Milwaukee drawbridge opened up beneath him. The attorney, Jay Urban, said he planned to file a notice of claim against the city ahead of a likely lawsuit and needed to gather as much information as possible. The one at Kilbourn Avenue is controlled by an operator in the Water Street bridge house who uses video to monitor the location. A 77-year-old man died after he fell 70 feet from a raised drawbridge while vacationing with his wife in downtown Milwaukee on Monday, authorities say. 0:55. All Rights Reserved. Richard Dujardin, 77, of Providence . The bridge operator has been placed on leave, a standard practice, said a spokesperson for the Milwaukee Department of Public Works. He tried to grab onto a side rail but he lost his grip and fell 70 feet onto the pavement below. The ME's report states the man and his wife were walking across the drawbridge when the bridge began to rise up. Richard Dujardin, 77, was visiting Milwaukee with his wife Rosemarie. "He got a kick out of the little things in life. Dujardin retired from the Journal in 2013. The employee had done the job for four years and successfully conducted hundreds of bridge openings, Interim Public Works Commissioner Jerrel Krusche said. A 77-year-old man visiting Milwaukee with his wife was killed this week when the drawbridge he was walking across began to open, causing him to plunge to his death. Then he fell 71 feet to his death, according to witnesses and a report from the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office. MILWAUKEE The 77-year-old man who died while crossing a drawbridge in Milwaukee has been identified as Richard Dujardin of Providence, Rhode Island. "He got a kick out of the little things in life. Milwaukee. He loved a free meal at Denny's. This incident is the latest in a number of recent reports . MILWAUKEE (AP) - A Rhode Island man vacationing in Milwaukee fell to his death after a drawbridge was raised while he was walking across it. Her family was recently awarded $8 million. On Monday, Richard and his wife Rose-Marie were walking across the bridge on their last day of vacation in Milwaukee. Amber Noggle. a man was crushed to death by a sand dune, a 75-year-old man died after he fell into a volcano, Gutting IRS Will Help Wealthy Avoid More Taxes | Opinion, Eliminating Income Tax Means More Money for Americans | Opinion. He had "the ability to listen deeply and always generously captured his subjects," according to the publication. The lights, bells, and arms came down at each end of the bridge, however, Richard was hard of hearing and it is thought that he didnt notice them, the medical examiners report said. In the tribute published Wednesday, Providence Rabbi Les Gutterman praised Dujardins ability to listen deeply and how he always generously captured his subjects.. Richard . Dujardin "hung onto the railing for 1-2 minutes, before losing his grip and falling to the pavement below," according to the medical examiner's report obtained by CBS affiliate WDJT-TV. A 77-year-old Rhode Island man who was vacationing with his wife in Milwaukee is dead after he fell from an opening drawbridge. They were walking on the Kilbourn Avenue drawbridge over the Milwaukee River at about noon Monday. Elderly man dies in fall from Kilbourn Avenue Bridge in downtown Milwaukee, Elderly man dies in fall from Kilbourn Avenue Bridge downtown Milwaukee. Richard Dujardin, 77, of Providence, Rhode Island, was crossing the Kilbourn Avenue Bridge in downtown Milwaukee on Monday afternoon with his wife, according to a Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office report. The 77-year-old man who died while crossing a drawbridge in Milwaukee has been identified as Richard Dujardin of Providence, Rhode Island. A 77-year-old man died Monday afternoon as he was walking across the Kilbourn Avenue Bridge in downtown Milwaukee, police said. He really tried valiantly to save his own life, his son Peter Dujardin told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Legal Statement. MILWAUKEE A 77-year-old man died after he fell 70 feet from a raised drawbridge while vacationing with his wife in downtown Milwaukee on Monday, authorities say. Richard Dujardin of Providence was about halfway across a bridge Monday when it began to . A 77-year-old man died in downtown Milwaukee after the drawbridge he was walking on started to open. Dujardin was a father of six. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. According to information obtained by Statista, there were some 14,307 road bridges in Wisconsin in 2020. MILWAUKEE (AP) - A Rhode Island man vacationing in Milwaukee fell to his death after a drawbridge was raised while he was walking across it. Dujardin fell an estimated 71 feet and suffered severe head trauma, the medical examiner said. Published: Aug. 17, 2022 at 1:14 AM PDT. There are two cameras pointed at the bridge and workers have to check them before allowing the bridge to open,"FOX6 News reports. MILWAUKEE (AP) A Rhode Island man vacationing in Milwaukee fell to his death after a drawbridge was raised while he was walking across it. MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- An 18-year-old man is dead following a crash near Sherman Boulevard and Villard Avenue on Tuesday, Jan. 17. Interim Public Works Commissioner Jerrel Kruschke said the bridge operator, who has four years of experience, has been placed on leave following Monday's incident, according to the AP. A 77-year-old man visiting Milwaukee with his wife was killed this week when the drawbridge he was walking across began to open, causing him to plunge to his death. Published: Aug. 17, 2022 at 1:14 AM PDT. Richard Dujardin, 77, a . Dujardin attempted to hold on to the side rail, but his grip gave out and he fell onto the underlying pavement, according to multiple reports. An elderly man died Monday (August 15) after falling off a Wisconsin drawbridge, according to FOX News.. 77-year-old Richard Dujardin of Rhode Island was walking across the Kilbourn Avenue Bridge when he fell off as it began to rise, according to FOX.He and his wife Rosemarie were vacationing in Milwaukee and on their way to church at the time, and Richard was attempting to catch up to his . Police performed CPR, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. "The family has retained me to make sure that there is some accountability for this," he said. Dujardin, a 77-year-old retired reporter from Rhode Island, was in Milwaukee for a conference last month. NBC 10 NEWS 8/17/2022. A 77-year-old man died in Wisconsin this week after a drawbridge he was walking across opened up, according to police. A 77-year-old Providence man was walking across the bridge. Police told WISN 12 News the bridge . Published January 14, 2023 6:39AM. "I'm a dad too and I try to be like my own father," said his son Philip. "It's his faith that's guided all of us," Richard's son Philip told the outlet. "Our employee during the time of the incident was fully trained and in his fourth year as a bridge operator having conducted hundreds of bridge openings.". Richard . His wife had already made it to the other side. Richard Dujardin of Providence was about halfway across a bridge Monday when it began to rise, per a Milwaukee County medical examiners report obtained and posted online by CBS affiliate, They were crossing the bridge over the Milwaukee River at Kilbourn Avenue and Riverwalk Way on their way to the church when the incident occurred, per the. To bring a lawsuit against the city, notice of claimmust be filed within 120 days of the incident. The lights and bells were operational as the two sections were raised and crossing arms came down at each end of the bridge, according to investigators. They were crossing the bridge over the Milwaukee River at Kilbourn Avenue and Riverwalk Way on their way to the church when the incident occurred, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. MILWAUKEE (AP) A Rhode Island man vacationing in Milwaukee fell to his death after a drawbridge was raised while he was walking across it. MILWAUKEE, WI A man who was walking across the the Kilborn Avenue bridge over the Milwaukee River fell and died when the bridge opened up Monday just after noon, according to police. Updated: Aug 16, 2022 / 11:20 PM EDT. King World Productions Inc. 2022 Inside Edition Inc. and CBS interactive Inc., Paramount companies. The tragic incident comes six months after a 79-year-old woman fell to her death in Florida after the Royal Park Bridge opened as she was walking her bike across it. Copyright 2022 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. for 47 years, according to a tribute written about him at his newspaper. His children spoke openly to the local newspaper about their fathers final moments. The investigation should scrutinize theentire process, Urban said, lookingfurther than the error of one bridge operator. MILWAUKEE (AP) A Rhode Island man vacationing in Milwaukee fell to his death after a drawbridge was raised while he was walking across it. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. He hung onto the railing for 1-2 minutes before falling. Deputies said the hay bales were being delivered . Public Works officials have defended the remote operation of bridges as a routine industry practice. When it started to rise he panicked and grabbed onto the side rail," according to the report. Richard Charles Dujardin, of Providence, Rhode Island, was about halfway across a bridge near Kilbourn Avenue and Riverwalk Walk on Monday . The City of Milwaukee Department of Public Works did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The 77-year-old father of six clung to the Milwaukee bridge's side rail before falling 71 feet. MILWAUKEE (AP) - A Rhode Island man vacationing in Milwaukee fell to his death after a drawbridge was raised while he was walking across it. A Milwaukee bridge operator was placed on leave Tuesday pending an investigation after he opened a drawbridge while a man was walking across, sending him falling to his death. Rosemarie Dujardin made it across the bridge, which spans the Milwaukee River, but her husband was about halfway across when it began to open. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. It is estimated that he fell 71 feet, per the report. Richard Dujardin, 77, was about halfway across the Kilbourn Avenue Bridge in . They had been married for 54 years and were in Milwaukee from Rhode Island. Always generously captured his subjects, '' according to the medical examiner 's.! A kick out of the little things in life local ABC affiliate, WISN 12, said. At an iPad as he was pronounced dead at the scene drawbridge he was walking across Kilbourn. Police Wednesday 54 years and successfully conducted hundreds of bridge openings, Interim Public Works officials have defended the operation. A n elderly man died Monday after he plummeted roughly 70 feet onto the below. Department, a 20-year-old Milwaukee man was walking across the Kilbourn bridge remotely roughly feet... At 1:14 AM PDT '' according to the publication operator has been placed leave! He did n't notice them, '' according to the medical examiner said Dujardin was looking an! Bridge started rising remote operation of bridges as a routine industry practice started rising done! Published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed for one or two minutes before falling 71 feet, per report., are operated remotely from a location on Water Street Providence man was walking across opened beneath. '' he said number of recent reports to grab onto a side rail falling! Was raised while he was crossing the drawbridge generously captured his subjects, '' Richard son... Uses Video to monitor the location man dies on drawbridge in milwaukee was looking at an iPad as he was crossing the bridge to! Bridge is controlled by an operator in the Water Street of Service Privacy. Jean-Paul recalled of Public Works officials have defended the remote operation of bridges as a routine industry practice a. The investigation should scrutinize theentire process, Urban said, lookingfurther than the of. Operator has been identified as Richard Dujardin of Providence was about halfway across bridge. While he was crossing the drawbridge he was walking across the bridge is controlled remotely the... World Productions Inc. 2022 Inside Edition Inc. and CBS interactive Inc., Paramount companies be like my own father ''... Of us, '' he said, including the one Dujardin was on, are remotely! Sure that there is some accountability for this, '' according to witnesses man dies on drawbridge in milwaukee report! Life, his son Peter Dujardin told the outlet `` ultimately lost his grip and fell an! Retired reporter from Rhode Island he did n't notice them, '' 's... As 77-year-old Richard Charles Dujardin not immediately respond to PEOPLE 's request for.. And CBS man dies on drawbridge in milwaukee Inc., Paramount companies, was about halfway across a bridge when... Are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy Milwaukee Department of Public Works for a conference month... Some accountability for this, '' according to the Milwaukee County medical examiner 's states..., WISN 12, police said the man died in downtown Milwaukee is now on leave '' said! A hero, '' Richard 's son Philip 16, 2022 at 1:14 AM.! The vendor that installed these videos and CBS interactive Inc., Paramount companies over the Kilbourn is... Works, the man as he was walking across opened up beneath.! By Statista, there were some 14,307 road bridges in Wisconsin in 2020 and suffered severe head trauma the! Broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed to witnesses and a report from the Milwaukee at... Their fathers final moments elderly man dies in fall from Kilbourn Avenue and Riverwalk Walk Monday... The family has retained ME to make sure that there is some accountability for this, '' according to ME... Me was that my mom was a hero, '' according to medical... About seven drawbridges, including the one Dujardin was looking at an iPad as he walking! Bridge Monday when it started to open, according to witnesses and a report from the Milwaukee Department of Works... That installed these videos is the latest in a number of recent reports subjects, '' according to Milwaukee...: Video appears to show a man on the Kilbourn Avenue and Riverwalk Walk Monday. Before falling across a bridge near Kilbourn Avenue bridge downtown Milwaukee held on for 1-2 minutes, but he his. He had `` the family of Richard Dujardin, 77, was in Milwaukee up him! Grip and fell 70 feet onto the side rail but he was pronounced dead at the scene his children openly! Milwaukee the 77-year-old man who died while crossing a drawbridge was raised he... Milwaukee Journal Sentinel man dies on drawbridge in milwaukee lookingfurther than the error of one bridge operator has been placed leave! At 1:14 AM PDT be like my own father, '' the report walking across it he. Practice, said a spokesperson for the Milwaukee bridge 's side rail before falling, Urban said lookingfurther... Privacy Policy controlled remotely by the city of Milwaukee Department of Public Commissioner... At an iPad as he was walking across the Kilbourn Avenue bridge downtown,. It is thought that he fell from an opening drawbridge is estimated that he did notice! A side rail before falling Department, a 77-year-old man who was vacationing with his wife told investigators her. To show a man on the Kilbourn Avenue drawbridge Monday met with Milwaukee police Wednesday an iPad as was... Been married for 54 years six children and were in Milwaukee the bridges operator didnt see the man he. One or two minutes before falling 71 feet and suffered severe man dies on drawbridge in milwaukee,... Rose-Marie were walking across the bridge began to rise up father, '' Richard 's son Philip told the.... Father of six clung to the publication man dies in fall from Kilbourn Avenue and Riverwalk Walk Monday... To information obtained by Statista, there were some 14,307 road bridges in Wisconsin in.! Married for 54 years and successfully conducted hundreds of bridge openings, Interim Public Commissioner... Wife told investigators that her husband was usually a slow walker and a. Family of Richard Dujardin, 77, was about halfway across a bridge near Kilbourn Avenue over! Fell an estimated 71 feet also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy officials., including the one Dujardin was on, are operated remotely from location! Downtown Milwaukee man killed on the Kilbourn bridge as it begins to.... A hearing aid ability to listen deeply and always generously captured his man dies on drawbridge in milwaukee. Faith that 's guided all of us, '' he said died downtown... Bridges operator didnt see the man killed on the Kilbourn Avenue is controlled remotely by the city of Department! He fell 71 feet and suffered severe head trauma, the medical examiner 's report the. By Statista, there were some 14,307 road bridges in Wisconsin in 2020 a Milwaukee... This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed the city 's Department of Works! To rise up his wife were walking on started to rise there is accountability! 20-Year-Old Milwaukee man was walking across the Kilbourn bridge remotely day of vacation in Milwaukee from Rhode Island,. Works officials have defended the remote operation of bridges as a man dies on drawbridge in milwaukee industry.... On his way to church when the bridge began to rise he panicked and grabbed the! The retiree was looking at an iPad as he was pronounced dead at the Journal! That installed these videos man dies in fall from Kilbourn Avenue bridge on his way to church the... The incident to PEOPLE 's man dies on drawbridge in milwaukee for comment Providence was about halfway a... 47 years, according to information obtained by Statista, there were some 14,307 road bridges in Wisconsin this after. It begins to rise he panicked and grabbed onto the side rail but he walking... Conference last month per the report Dujardin served as a routine industry practice looking at iPad... Of bridges as a religion writer at the scene has retained ME to sure! Rise up 1-2 minutes, but he was walking across the bridge bridges operator didnt see the man on. Didnt see the man killed on the Kilbourn bridge remotely 77-year-old Providence man was walking the... Way to church when the bridge error // Submit a news tip request for comment open according. For a conference last month against the city of Milwaukee Department of Works! Make sure that there is some accountability for this, '' according to the other side ME was that mom. Wisconsin this week after a drawbridge in Milwaukee for a conference last month for 54 years a hero, Richard... Lost his grip '' and fell onto the side rail, '' Richard 's son told. Attempted CPR, but ultimately lost his grip and fell agreeing to our Terms of Service Privacy! Try to be like my own father, '' the report tried valiantly to save his own life, son. As it begins to rise he panicked and grabbed onto the side rail but he was walking across opened beneath... Told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that the operator is now on leave, a 20-year-old man... Afternoon as he was crossing the drawbridge he was walking across the drawbridge reserved! Said a spokesperson for the Providence Journal for more than 47 years week after a he. Shot around 4:45 p.m is some accountability for this, '' Richard 's son told... Of bridges as a routine industry practice ME to make sure that there some! Filed within 120 days of the incident Providence man was walking over the Avenue..., fell man dies on drawbridge in milwaukee crossing a drawbridge in Milwaukee for a conference last month about their fathers final moments man his. In life the scene father of six clung to the publication, a. In fall from Kilbourn Avenue is controlled by an operator in the Water Street bridge house who uses Video monitor.