Brazil teen dies in fall from Madison Township bridge

Monday, June 4, 2012
Kody Allen Snyder

A Brazil teen died in a Friday morning fall from a rural Putnam County railroad bridge.

Kody Allen Snyder, 16, Brazil, was pronounced dead at the Putnam County Hospital Friday following a fall from the railroad bridge commonly known as the Big Four Arch Bridge.

Putnam County Sheriff's Department investigators said Snyder and four other males from the Brazil and Terre Haute area were at the bridge near County Road 500 West, climbing through the compartments under the rail bed.

"During the course of their exploration, Mr. Snyder apparently fell from the south side of the structure onto the creek, a fall of approximately 40 feet," Sheriff's Department Capt. Tom Helmer said.

Snyder's companions, Justin Bryant, 21, Austin Bell, 18, Benjamin Craftan, 18, and an unnamed 17-year-old, said they rushed down to the creek to help Snyder. They found him lying facedown in the water.

The young men said they attempted CPR but to no avail.

They then placed Snyder into their vehicle and attempted to locate a hospital, but they were not familiar with the area and ended up on County Road 450 West, where they awakened the occupants of a residence.

The residents called 911 at 4:21 a.m. Lt. Dwight Simmons and Deputy Mike Downing, along with the Reelsville Fire Department and Operation Life, responded to the scene.

Further CPR was in progress upon the officers' arrival. Operation Life transported him to Putnam County Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5:55 a.m.

Coroner Thomas Miller said Dr. Roland Kohr was set to perform an autopsy on Saturday in Terre Haute.

The investigation is ongoing by Chief of Detectives Pat McFadden, Detective Virgil Lanning and Officer Mark Stevens of the CSX Railroad Police.

Snyder recently completed his freshman year at Northview High School. He is the son of Jay S. and Jackie Neice Snyder.

Big Four Arch Bridge

Visitation is scheduled from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at Moore Funeral Home in Brazil. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.

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  • Very sad! I cant count how many times my friends & I, & basically everyone I knew went down there to swim & hang out. I'm very sad for the family & friends of this kid, & hope that now kids will stay off that bridge! Prayers go out to all involved!

    -- Posted by truthis on Mon, Jun 4, 2012, at 8:06 AM
  • Pray...

    -- Posted by macvrod on Tue, Jun 5, 2012, at 8:30 AM
  • 30 years ago, I spent many days and evenings at the "4 Arches". Kids will not "stay off that bridge", TRUTHIS .. it's part of a long history between our two counties. I still visit because this bridge is so beautiful and awesome.

    This was a senseless tragedy. No one is to blame. My prayers for the family of this kid and his friends and their families.

    -- Posted by Emmes on Tue, Jun 5, 2012, at 11:42 AM
  • Alcohol was the contributing factor,according to tv reporter last night.....

    -- Posted by kubotafan on Wed, Jun 6, 2012, at 4:55 AM
  • So sad to Hear about this. 30+ years ago I remember many times climbing through 4 Arch day and night. Been On It, In it, Under It and all Around It.

    -- Posted by TKstickman on Thu, Jun 7, 2012, at 3:05 AM
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