The body of the man who drowned in Duck River at Fisherman’s Park was recovered late Friday afternoon.

Christopher Lee Richardson, 50, of Shelbyville had last been seen at mid-afternoon Thursday when witnesses said he jumped off the old power plant building at the downtown dam. He was said to have hit his head as he landed in the water.

“There was a mark on his forehead consistent with him having hit his head,” Detective Cody Swift of the Shelbyville Police Department said.

Richardson was found approximately 40 feet downriver from the dam, Swift said.

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Authorities searched until sunset Thursday for a man who jumped into Duck River at Fisherman’s Park and never resurfaced. 

The search ended for the night shortly after 6 p.m. Searching will resume at 7 a.m. Friday.

A companion – who told a witness she can’t swim – survived the plunge.

The man and woman entered the river at mid-afternoon, Shelbyville police and an eyewitness who pulled her to safety said. No names have been released.

“He was on the other side of the river at the old power plant,” Anthony Merlo said. “He waved at us and all of a sudden he jumped in.”

The victim struck his head as he hit the river.

“You could hear him hit his head,” Merlo said.

The man disappeared under the water at that point. Merlo was preoccupied with the woman.

“She jumped right in behind him,” Merlo said. “She said she couldn’t swim.”

Merlo watched as the woman disappeared – but she soon resurfaced.

“She popped up and got to yelling for help,” Merlo said.

He went into the water after her.

“I finally caught her down by the bridge,” Merlo said.

The woman was not seriously injured, Shelbyville police said. She was taken to Vanderbilt Bedford Hospital for any needed treatment.

Rescuers floated and dragged the river for several hours before nightfall. A full search effort will resume Friday.