Dangling semi truck caused by oncoming vehicle
A wreck that led to a dangling semi truck on a Kentucky bridge Friday was caused by an oncoming vehicle swerving into the path of the tractor trailer, the Louisville Mayor says.
The accident happened on March 1st on the George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge connecting Louisville, Kentucky, to southern Indiana near Louisville, Kentucky at about 12:30 p.m.
According to AP News, the crash started when a southbound vehicle struck a broken down car, causing it to veer into the northbound lanes and strike the tractor trailer. The tractor trailer then veered out of the lanes and crashed through the bridge guardrail, where it was left dangling off the side of the bridge.
The rescue of the driver took just over 40 minutes as rescue crews worked to set up a rope system before sending firefighter Bryce Carden to rappel down the dangling truck cab. Carden then hooked the driver up to a safety harness and lift her up to safety.
After the dramatic rescue from the dangling cab, the truck driver was unhurt, but two people inside the cars involved in the incident were transported to the hospital with potentially life threatening injuries. One of those people was still in the hospital with serious injuries as of Saturday.
The trucker rescued in the ordeal has only been identified as a female driver.
“She is incredibly brave. She is incredibly fortunate,” said Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg.
The bridge will need some minor repairs following the crash, but the structural integrity was not compromised in the accident.
BREAKING: Heroic rescue made as semi-truck hangs off a bridge over the Ohio River.
Insane.
The truck was hanging over the Ohio River on the Clark Memorial Bridge, also known as the 2nd Street Bridge after getting into a collision.
The crash initially happened around noon… pic.twitter.com/gjaLtiqOIR— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 1, 2024