A man fell to his death from Irabu Ohashi Bridge between Miyako and Irabu Islands around midnight, Monday.

According to Miyako Police, a 32-year-old male care worker fell 30 meters into the sea after climbing over the fence at the midpoint of the 3,540-meter-long bridge. A diver from the Miyakojima Coast Guard found his body seven hours later lying on the bottom 18 meters deep.

Miyakojima Police are investigating the reason for his fall. An autopsy is conducted to determine the cause of death.

The girlfriend told investigators that when they crossed the bridge from Irabu to Miyako, they stopped at an emergency parking area near the top of the bridge to take in the view. Reportedly, the man also proposed to his girlfriend who accepted. While they were talking, the man jokingly climbed over the 1.35-meter-high handrail to stand on the ledge but fell. The girlfriend made immediately an emergency call.

The man was reportedly drunk when the accident occurred.

Parking on the bridge is prohibited, but many tourists stop at the midway to appreciate the view and take pictures. According to Okinawa Prefectural Department of Civil Engineering and Construction, this was the first fatal accident since the opening of the bridge.

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