Officials search Tampa Bay after reports of possible Skyway jumper

ST. PETERSBURG — Authorities are searching Tampa Bay waters for a possible suicide jumper after someone reported an abandoned car atop the Skyway Bridge Friday morning.

According to St. Petersburg Fire Rescue spokesman Joel Granata, a passerby called around 6:30 a.m. and reported an unconscious person in a car on the bridge. Florida Highway Patrol and fire rescue workers responded to find an empty car with the keys, a wallet and other personal items still in the car.

A female tennis shoe was found at or near the scene, Granata said, but it's unclear whether it's connected to the possible incident.

The U.S. Coast Guard dispatched vessels and a helicopter to the scene around 8 a.m to look for a survivor or body, according to Coast Guard Petty Officer Sondra-Kay Kneen, but she had no information on any findings. Granata said he received reports that weather conditions and the tide were making the search difficult, as 6-foot swells were coming over the sides of the boats.

Stay with tampabay.com for further updates.