Amazing Rescue As Truck Dangles from a Louisville KY Bridge
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Can any locals verify whether or not people actually pay attention to the speed limit on the bridge? Big old heavy truck and all... but at 35mph, it just seems like it wouldn't break through.
Can any locals verify whether or not people actually pay attention to the speed limit on the bridge? Big old heavy truck and all... but at 35mph, it just seems like it wouldn't break through.
Usually the traffic over the bridge is too heavy to speed. Though at that time of day they were probably averaging 50-60mph. My understanding is the truck was traveling in the northbound lanes, when an accident happened in the southbound lanes causing it to swerve. The lanes are very narrow and there is no divider between traffic it can snarl pretty bad. That’s obviously the worst accident I’ve seen on the bridge, but they aren’t uncommon.
Watched this rescue on TV as it happened. I hope you get to see it on a larger video on the news tonight. I have never seen anything like it. The big semi-truck crashed through the guardrail and dangled over the sides of the Clark Memorial Bridge. The bridge goes over the Ohio River. A first responder was lowered down to the truck to rescue the driver and together (not sure if the truck driver was conscious) they had to swing back to the other rescuers on the bridge until one grabbed them dangling from a cable or rope.
I believe, we the viewers, were watching from a camera in a helicopter. Here is part of the video and some still photos:
Then they had to cut to the boring trial in Georgia so no info about the rescuer, the driver, the accident.
It seems like the video was taken by either a helicopter or drone. I can't believe how steady the camera was. I bet that had to be the longest "few minutes" of the truckers life as he and his rescuer dangle from the line. It seemed like a lot of minutes went by while they were dangling but the reality is it was not as long as it seemed.
I've seen other rescues where a vehicle is hanging from a bridge or ledge. Getting into an accident on a bridge has been a fear of mine, especially if there are some crazy drivers cutting in and out of traffic. It's a huge miracle the driver was rescued.
I found another video of the rescue that also shows the truck being recovered. Truck recovery starts at 3:31:43; which may show as -7:30:28 on the live video slider. Note, I'm you tube illiterate. When I click on share, there's an option to start the video where I have it paused which is where I got the 3 minutes info lol I always have to go to the music section to find a thread with you tube videos so I can grab the code. It never works for me unless I do that.
First responders are very special people, especially the ones who volunteer their time. These days a lot are paid.
My dad was on a rescue squad where we had our gas/service station business, from the early 70's until he retired in the 2000's. I remember when the jaws of life tool first came out. I have a picture of my dad being handed the tool by the mayor. Back then, it was the rescue squad that cut the cars open, not firemen which is who does it these days.
We had customers with cars that they wanted to junk. Instead of going to the junkyard, they got donated to the rescue squad to be used in drills which were done in the vacant lot, which was an old quarry, next to our station.
It is amazing how much rescues have changed just in the almost 50 years since the jaws of life tool came out. I'm sure that many lives were saved due to the many advances in the gear being used, various trainings responders get to be part of a team that specializes in accidents such as this. The vehicles used have also advanced a lot. In the video above that I posted, you can see the two massive tow trucks that were used to recover the big rig.
Usually the traffic over the bridge is too heavy to speed. Though at that time of day they were probably averaging 50-60mph. My understanding is the truck was traveling in the northbound lanes, when an accident happened in the southbound lanes causing it to swerve. The lanes are very narrow and there is no divider between traffic it can snarl pretty bad. That’s obviously the worst accident I’ve seen on the bridge, but they aren’t uncommon.
I grew up in the neighborhood, and never liked that bridge. I saw article that mentioned the 35MPH limit. Still can't wrap my head around the accident.
They were able to extricate the truck from the bridge trusses by 9 last night. I was moving to a new condo in New Albany yesterday, and kept having to drive by the scene on I-64. It was pretty scary to see the first time we drove by, and realized a truck was dangling from the bridge. It was 80% off the bridge. The fifth wheel was the only thing keeping the cab attached to the trailer. It held strong enough to keep the cab from plunging into the river. I’m so glad they were able to rescue the driver. When we first saw it we didn’t think anyone had survived it.
A fifth wheel connection is pretty strong & one of the skills that you have to have is making that perfect connection when backing the cab to hook the trailer. You hear & feel a good, hard clunk.
BTW, the driver is female, which is more common these days, thank goodness.
I watched a few videos on this, so I don't remember the specific ones to link, but two things:
1. The motor vehicle accident occurred because one driver went into the oncoming lane. (I wonder if s/he was texting or if it was because of the rain conditions.)
2. The lanes were only 10 1/2 feet wide -- doesn't give much room, if any, for error.
I also wonder how long that will mess up traffic in that area.
And -- of course -- MAJOR kudos to the rescuer and the entire rescue team!
I also wonder how long that will mess up traffic in that area.
That bridge is the primary alternative to the I-65 toll bridges over the Ohio River. It's been closed all weekend for repairs. The 2 big interstate bridges about 500 ft from it are handling the additional capacity just fine. They are actually more convenient than the 2nd St. bridge that dumps into downtown Louisville (which has poorly managed traffic lights every 20 feet). Unfortunately I don't think Kentucky has suspended tolls while the bridge has been closed, which I have ethical gripes with lol.
Just like something out of a movie. Amazing professional skills by the rescuers.
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