Video shows rescue of driver as semi dangles off bridge
Published Date: 3/1/2024
Source: WBNS 10TV
A semitruck driver was rescued Friday after a crash caused his truck to dangle over a bridge between Indiana and Kentucky on Friday. First responders could be seen rappelling down to the semi's cab where a female driver was still trapped inside. The driver was then seen in the arms of a rescuer being pulled to safety around 12:30 p.m. Louisville Metro Police confirmed the driver and fire fighter are safe on land at this time. Louisville Fire Chief Brian O'Neill said the recuse method is known as a "pickoff." "All credit goes to these folks right here," O'Neill said, pointing to about a dozen fire department members behind him. "This is our rescue company that handled this. They train for this stuff all the time. You see these were some serious heroes here." About 30 firefighters were on the scene, plus members of EMS and Louisville Metro police. The cause of the crash remains unknown at this time. Two other vehicles were involved. One person was taken to the hospital. The semi driver was also taken to the hospital, but appeared to be OK, according to O'Neill. The truck dangling from the bridge appears to be a Sysco truck. While the driver has been saved, the semi-truck is still hanging from the bridge. Both sides of the Clark Memorial Bridge are shut down, LMPD said. It's unclear how long the bridge in downtown Louisville will remain closed. In a statement Sysco said the company is grateful for the quick response by first responders. "Sysco is enormously grateful to rescue services and law enforcement who quickly and safely resolved the accident on the Clark Memorial Bridge today. We are thankful our Sysco colleague is safe and thank the first responders for their courageous efforts rescuing our driver. Safety is a priority at Sysco, and we are cooperating with the law enforcement investigation," a company spokesperson said.