Man found in river near where one fell

BLYTHEVILLE -- Authorities recovered the body of a man in the Mississippi River and sent it to the state Crime Laboratory to determine if it is a person who fell off a barge near Hickman earlier this month, Lt. Preston Williams of the Mississippi County sheriff's office said Monday.

A barge operator spotted the body Friday night in the river east of Blytheville.

Crews had been searching for Jerry Hooper, a Kinder Morgan employee who slipped off a barge during inclement weather Jan. 10. The river was above flood stage at the time and the rapid currents hindered searchers, Williams said.

The body was found about 100 yards from where Hooper fell, Williams said.

State Desk on 01/26/2016

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