Bridge Day Organizers to Rethink Security Plan

Bridge Day organizers are re-evaluating a new security plan following protests by BASE jumpers.

The Bridge Day Commission has proposed requiring jumpers, rappellers and vendors to submit to fingerprint scans. The fingerprints would be checked against a terrorism watch list.

Some jumpers say they will skip Bridge Day this year because of the requirement. The jumpers cite privacy concerns.

Commission chair Sharon Cruikshank tells media outlets that the panel didn’t expect these concerns. She says the commission has begun an evaluation period and is accepting public comment.

Bridge Day is held on the third Saturday in October. It’s the only time that BASE jumping is allowed from the New River Gorge Bridge.

BASE stands for building, antenna, span and Earth, the fixed objects from which jumpers leap with parachutes.