DECATUR, AL -
A truck driver found himself in a dangerous situation Friday night. He was stuck inside the cab of his truck as it dangled off the Tennessee River bridge on Interstate 65 near Decatur.
The accident happened around 9:00 p.m. Friday on the northbound side of I-65 at the 336 mile marker. In addition to the truck, six other vehicles were involved in the wreck.
Authorities say a car was parked on the shoulder of the interstate with its emergency lights on. They say another driver approaching the bridge swerved and then lost control of her car on the rain-slick road. That vehicle hit the guardrail and ended up in the middle of the road.
Troopers say the big rig driver saw the flashers. But, did not see the wrecked car. When he saw the wrecked car, he tried to avoid it, swerved and his truck went hurling into the guardrail and ended up with the cab hanging over the river. Four other vehicles ended up in the chain reaction wreck.
Rescuing the Truck Driver
Alabama State Troopers responded to the accident along with crews from the Decatur Police and Decatur Fire Departments. Because the truck was dangling precariously over the river, Decatur Fire and Rescue brought in a ladder truck and used it to hoist a firefighter over the cab to get the truck driver out. He was able to deliver the truck driver to safety. The truck driver and one other person were taken to the hospital. State Police said both would be okay. The outcome could have been much different though. State Police say it's about a 150 foot drop from the bridge to the water and that the water is about 30 feet deep there.
Traffic Impact
Both northbound lanes of I-65 were shutdown for hours Friday night to allow access for emergency crews. Traffic was re-routed to Highway 67 through Decatur. There was no impact to the southbound lanes.
Around 4 a.m. Saturday morning, State Troopers re-opened one lane of I-65 northbound.
The inside left lane of northbound I-65 remains closed at the beginning of the bridge until further notice. Alabama Department of Transportation officials say 70 feet of the guardrail was damaged and needs to be repaired. Troopers urge motorists to slow down through that arera and to expect delays due to the lane closure.
The accident happened around 9:00 p.m. Friday on the northbound side of I-65 at the 336 mile marker. In addition to the truck, six other vehicles were involved in the wreck.
Authorities say a car was parked on the shoulder of the interstate with its emergency lights on. They say another driver approaching the bridge swerved and then lost control of her car on the rain-slick road. That vehicle hit the guardrail and ended up in the middle of the road.
Troopers say the big rig driver saw the flashers. But, did not see the wrecked car. When he saw the wrecked car, he tried to avoid it, swerved and his truck went hurling into the guardrail and ended up with the cab hanging over the river. Four other vehicles ended up in the chain reaction wreck.
Rescuing the Truck Driver
Alabama State Troopers responded to the accident along with crews from the Decatur Police and Decatur Fire Departments. Because the truck was dangling precariously over the river, Decatur Fire and Rescue brought in a ladder truck and used it to hoist a firefighter over the cab to get the truck driver out. He was able to deliver the truck driver to safety. The truck driver and one other person were taken to the hospital. State Police said both would be okay. The outcome could have been much different though. State Police say it's about a 150 foot drop from the bridge to the water and that the water is about 30 feet deep there.
Traffic Impact
Both northbound lanes of I-65 were shutdown for hours Friday night to allow access for emergency crews. Traffic was re-routed to Highway 67 through Decatur. There was no impact to the southbound lanes.
Around 4 a.m. Saturday morning, State Troopers re-opened one lane of I-65 northbound.
The inside left lane of northbound I-65 remains closed at the beginning of the bridge until further notice. Alabama Department of Transportation officials say 70 feet of the guardrail was damaged and needs to be repaired. Troopers urge motorists to slow down through that arera and to expect delays due to the lane closure.
