Heroic Rescue from a Bridge
Last week, a firefighter named Bryce Carden from Louisville rescued a female truck driver from a semi-truck that was precariously positioned over the edge of a bridge after a collision. The incident happened when another car veered into oncoming traffic, sending the truck over the edge of the Clark-Memorial Bridge.
The scene was dramatic, with the 18-wheeler narrowly fitting between the bridge’s supports before hanging about 100 feet above the Ohio River. Fortunately, first responders were able to utilize a pulley system to save the woman from her dangerous situation.
In an interview with Good Morning America, Carden shared that the unidentified woman was visibly shaken but expressed immense relief during the rescue. Officials later revealed that she is a military veteran and an employee of the food distribution company, Sysco. The police investigation into the incident is still ongoing.
Reflecting on the rescue, Carden described the emotional moment when the woman realized she was safe. “She was saying, ‘Thank God! Help me!’,” he recalled. Once rescued, she was overwhelmed with emotion, which is understandable given the circumstances.
Despite the heroics, Carden humbly noted that he was just one component of a larger team effort. He expressed gratitude towards his colleagues who supported the rescue from their positions on the bridge and from boats below. Mayor Craig Greenberg praised the woman’s bravery, stating she was “incredibly fortunate.”
Carden provided additional context during the interview, including how the rescue operation took roughly 40 minutes. He emphasized the importance of training and preparedness for such emergencies, explaining that they train for similar situations and that his instincts kicked in during the crisis.
As of now, the investigation continues to determine the exact cause of the crash, which resulted in significant portions of the truck hanging over the edge of the bridge. Sysco confirmed that the driver has since been released from the hospital and thanked Carden for his exceptional efforts, acknowledging the critical response from emergency services.