Police Chief Tim Schweder says a man possibly in his teens or early 20s apparently fell into the creek, which runs right through downtown Monett.

“We saw him several times after he went in and each time it was further downstream,” said Schweder.

Fighting rushing waters about 10 feet deep, witnesses say the man tried to catch the 5th Street Bridge but the current was too swift.

“Several witnesses said he was trying to swim; others said he was going under the water and further distress,” the chief said.

Firefighters saw the man go under the Eisenhower Street bridge but, at that point, they couldn’t tell if he was still alive.

“Right now the last report we have was found a long way from where he went in the creek,” said Schweder.

The Missouri State Water Patrol will assist Monett police with their search for the man on Wednesday. The police chief says no one has yet reported a missing person. Witnesses described the man as white or Hispanic male with short dark hair.