Devendra Kumar
A dramatic rescue operation unfolded after a US lorry driver crashed off the edge of a bridge, leaving her precariously perched over the Ohio River. The accident occurred on Friday afternoon when a southbound vehicle struck a stalled car and veered into oncoming traffic, slamming into the lorry and sending it careening over the guardrail. Miraculously, the driver emerged unharmed from the wreckage, but three other cars were involved in the crash, with two people suffering possibly life-threatening injuries.
As the lorry teetered over the edge, a team of firefighters and rescue specialists sprang into action, deploying a rope system to lower a brave firefighter, Bryce Carden, down to the cab to retrieve the stranded driver. The rescue effort was a painstaking one, with Carden spending about 40 minutes preparing to make the descent. But ultimately, his bravery and quick thinking paid off, as he successfully hooked the driver to a safety harness and lifted her safely back to the road.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg was among those on the scene to greet the unharmed driver, praising her bravery and describing her as “incredibly fortunate” to have avoided serious injury. The investigation into the crash is ongoing, but Kentucky’s state highway engineer, James Ballinger, has confirmed that the bridge’s structural integrity was not compromised, although repairs will be needed to a pedestrian walkway.
The accident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of vigilance on the roads, particularly on bridges that carry thousands of vehicles daily. Despite the chaos and danger of the situation, the rescue effort was deemed a success, thanks to the quick thinking and bravery of the rescue team and the unharmed driver’s incredible luck. The incident is a testament to the importance of proper training and preparation for rescue operations, as well as the skill and bravery of the individuals involved.