Driver Rescued From Truck Dangling Above Ohio River

After a crash on the Clark Memorial Bridge crossing the Ohio River, a semi-truck was left dangling off the side of the bridge with the driver inside.

 First responders showed up to the scene and quickly sprang into action, rappelling off the side of the bridge to rescue the driver from the truck.

Chief Brian O’Neill of Louisville Fire Department said the first fire crews arrived three minutes after receiving the run. Louisville firefighters were able to talk to the semi driver. She was the only person in the cab of the vehicle. Louisville Metro police say the semi driver was taken to UofL Hospital by EMS following the extrication. LMPD says she was alert and conscious and her injuries are thought to be non-life threatening.

https://www.fox19.com/2024/03/01/update-driver-removed-truck-dangling-clark-memorial-bridge/

The truck was heading northbound on the bridge when the accident occurred, causing the front half of the truck, including the cab, to dangle nearly 80 feet above the Ohio River.

HEROIC RESCUE: First responders perform insane rescue as semi-truck dangles from bridge over the Ohio River, connecting Indiana and Kentucky.
pic.twitter.com/Ry2fhWW5kQ

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) March 1, 2024

The first responders involved are being deemed heroes for their quick, lifesaving rescue of the truck driver.

The Clark Memorial Bridge, which carries U.S. 31 between Louisville and Jeffersonville, Indiana, remains closed to traffic while crews determine how to remove the dangling semi. Metro police say the closure will last through the afternoon rush hours and possibly into Saturday.

https://www.fox19.com/2024/03/01/update-driver-removed-truck-dangling-clark-memorial-bridge/

The George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge, also known as the Second Street Bridge, was built in 1929 and designed by Ralph Modjeski, Frank Masters, and Paul Philippe. The bridge cost nearly 5 million dollars to construct.

Famously, Muhammad Ali threw his gold medal from the 1960 Rome Olympics into the river while standing on the bridge. In March 1984, the bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The bridge was also featured in the 1981 movie “Stripes” starring Bill Murray. In one scene, where he drove to the center of the bridge, got out of his vehicle, and threw his keys into the river.

READ MORE: Elon Musk Sues $80 Billion Company OpenAi, CEO Sam Altman