In a remarkable display of heroism last week, an audacious rescue unfolded, suspended dramatically over the Ohio River bridge.
The incident occurred on March 1, when distressing reports emerged of a semi-truck and trailer breaching a guardrail, teetering precariously on the brink of the Clark Memorial Bridge in Kentucky. The Louisville Division of Fire promptly responded to the scene, orchestrating a daring rescue mission to save the female driver who found herself in a desperate situation, offering prayers for her life within the cab.
The distress call came in around noon, detailing a multi-vehicle crash on the four-lane bridge. The collision involved two passenger vehicles, a pickup truck, and the commercial semi-truck in question. The long-haul truck careened over the edge, with its extensive trailer section becoming entangled with the bridge’s metal beams.
This intricate entwinement effectively suspended the entire unit over 70 feet above the water, creating a perilous scenario that demanded swift and calculated action.
Falling from such a height could easily have been fatal. However, according to first responders, the driver of the semi remained composed throughout the incident.
Louisville’s Fire Division arrived and initiated a high-angle rescue. Firefighter Bryce Carden said he was confident when he hung from a line and rappelled from a fire engine ladder; the 29-year-old first responder knew his teammates had his back.
“I was not nervous at all going over the edge because I knew that they had me on the top side,” he told Fox News. “Once I reached her, she was super calm, collected, and helped me do what I needed to do to get her to safety, essentially. And it all worked out for the best. And we’ll go back to quarters and get ready to do it again if we have to.”
The hood of the truck had broken open, while the female driver, a military veteran, remained secure in the cab. Both she and the firefighter were saying prayers throughout the ordeal, Mr. Carden said.
“She was praying a lot, and I was praying right there with her,” he told the outlet.
Both the rescuer and the driver came away from the wreck unharmed. Dramatic footage from the scene shows them suspended on a wire high above the river.
Amidst the intense collision involving four vehicles on the bridge, two individuals from one of the vehicles sustained serious injuries in addition to the semi-truck driver. Urgently requiring medical attention, all three were promptly transported to the University of Louisville Hospital, as confirmed by the Louisville Metro Police Department.
In the aftermath of the harrowing rescue operation, which hung precipitously between life and death, Louisville Fire Chief Brian O’Neill voiced his profound pride in the rescue team. He described the extraordinary efforts as a “once-in-a-career kind of thing,” emphasizing the exceptional courage and dedication exhibited by these men and women in the face of such a perilous situation.
“All the credit goes right here,“ he told the press Friday. ”These are some serious heroes. This was some really professional, well-practiced, well-trained stuff.
“This is very much a worst-case scenario and something that you don’t expect to happen,” he said. “This is a once-in-a-career kind of thing.
“This motivates the heck out of me every day.”
Fire Chief O’Neill’s commendations extended to the firefighter who went out on a line to save the driver: Mr. Carden’s conduct meant he was the “exact right person” for the job.
“This guy is probably one of the nicest, happiest guys that you’ll ever want to meet in your life,” Chief O’Neill said, speaking of Mr. Carden. “And he is the exact right person to put down there to try to keep that patient calm.”
Several hours post the crash, a meticulous operation unfolded as the semi-truck was successfully hoisted back to safety. In the aftermath of the accident, all four lanes of the bridge were temporarily closed to facilitate thorough inspections. However, following the completion of the necessary assessments, traffic has been fully restored and is now flowing smoothly.
The Clark Memorial Bridge, a structure with historical roots dating back to its construction in 1928, earned its name in 1949 as a tribute to Louisville’s founder.
Despite the challenges posed by this recent incident, the bridge stands as a testament to the enduring resilience of infrastructure with a rich and storied past.
