Body of 21-year-old man recovered at Apple Creek

A 21-year-old man is dead after he fell or jumped into Apple Creek on Tuesday afternoon, according to a Perry County Sheriff's Department news

release.

Aaron Howe of Old Appleton was with friends on the bridge at Old Appleton about 2:15 p.m. Tuesday when he didn't resurface after he jumped or fell into the water, witnesses told investigators.

The Cape Girardeau Dive Team recovered his body from under the iron bridge that spans the creek at about 3:30 p.m., officials said.

Sheriff Gary Schaaf said the creek is relatively shallow at the bridge, making jumping dangerous. A similar incident happened in October 2010, he said.

Howe's body was transferred to Perry County Coroner Herb Miller. Miller was unavailable for comment Tuesday.

"This sort of thing happens way too often," Schaaf said. "It is not safe to jump or even hang off the outside of the railing. This is a tragedy, and I hope others learn from this."

Pertinent address:

Old Appleton, MO