BIDDEFORD — The body of an unidentified man was found in the Saco River off Horrigan’s Court in Biddeford Thursday.

A diver from the Maine State Police found the body, of a man who appeared to be around 35 to 40 years old, submerged in the river at 11:25 p.m., said Biddeford Deputy Police Chief JoAnne Fisk.

After he was found, the man’s body was brought to the Maine State Medical Examiner’s Office, she said. The medical examiner is investigating the cause of death and will try to identify the body, most likely through fingerprints, said Fisk.

A 911 call reporting the incident was received at 8:38 p.m., she said.

The caller, a resident of Horrigan’s Court, said they saw two men jump off the railroad trestle bridge, known as the “black bridge,” and one of them did not resurface, said Fisk. The second person did swim successfully to shore, said Fisk, while a third person was on shore with the group prior to the jump from the bridge.

Another witness at the scene said one of the jumpers briefly resurfaced before he went under again, said Biddeford Fire Department Deputy Chief Kevin Duross.

Biddeford Police, Fire and EMS services and Saco Fire Department personnel conducted an extensive search of the area by foot and using boats, said Fisk, but were unable to locate the missing swimmer.The Maine Warden’s Service and Maine State Police were also called in to help with the search.

“That’s a very dangerous spot,” said Duross, noting that there are old logs and branches in the river at that spot where people could become injured.

“We’ve had issues with the black bridge before,” said Fisk. In the past, people have been injured and even drowned at that spot, she said.

“No one should be jumping off that bridge.”

She said it’s a 100-foot drop, and the water in that area isn’t very deep.

In addition, said Fisk, those going to that area are guilty of criminal trespassing, as it is private property.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.