A 45-year-old man who jumped off the Highway 49 bridge into the American River was severely injured Thursday, the California Highway Patrol reports.

The swimmer jumped between 50 and 80 feet from the bridge in Auburn into shallow water, according to a CHP news release.

A helicopter crew flew to the scene about 1:30 p.m. and found the man partially in the water down the river from the bridge. They directed fire and emergency medical crews to the victim.

After traffic was halted, a CHP H-24 helicopter landed on the bridge and transported the man to the Sutter Roseville Medical Center for treatment.

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