Man runs from police and into Jordan River

A man who allegedly ran from the police spent at least 90 minutes in the Jordan River until his family and firefighters brought him out.

The man, who was not identified, allegedly encountered two women along the Jordan River Parkway Saturday evening, who called the police, said Salt Lake City Police Lt. Brian Purvis. The man is mentally ill and was experiencing an episode, Purvis said.

When the police arrived, the man ran into the river near 1200 W. 1600 South, where the water was shallow enough to stand in, Purvis said.

After help from his family and firefighters, the man eventually came out of the river about 9 p.m. and was taken to the hospital, where he will be treated for the possibility of hypothermia and for his mental illness, Purvis said.

mmcfall@sltrib.com

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