Heartstopping rescue as truck dangles over bridge edge
Incredible photos have emerged of two people being rescued as their car dangled over the edge of a bridge.
A man, 67, and a woman, 64, were rescued after their ute crashed through a guardrail and was left dangling off the Malad Gorge bridge, in the US state of Idaho, on Monday about 2.40pm.
Police said witnesses claimed the driver had lost control of the ute, pulling a camper trailer, and crashed into the railing.
The gorge is about 30 metres below the bridge and at its deepest point about 76 metres.
“The trooper was able to call to the two people inside the vehicle, who responded and said they were alert and not seriously injured,” the department said.
“Soon after, a Gooding County Sheriff's Deputy arrived on scene and the trooper and deputy were able to get an additional set of chains from a semi-truck driver, attach them to the dangling pick up, and provide additional strength to hold the pickup until rescue crews could arrive.”
Emergency crews were then able to rappel down to the hanging truck and attach a harness to each occupant, allowing them to be safely carried back to the bridge.
Both were taken to hospitals, and neither appeared to have life-threatening injuries, police said. Two small dogs inside the car were also rescued and are fine.
Idaho State Police spokeswoman Lynn Hightower said the rescue operation was “terrifying”.
“It was definitely a heroic rescue from everybody that was out there, and thankfully, they’re all fine.
“A rescue like this takes a lot of quick thinking and action but this is what they train for.
“That training just paid off today, and two people are alive because of the hours and hours of training that these emergency responders do.”
Captain David Neth of the Idaho State Police District 4 called it a “tremendous team effort”.
Viewers in awe of 'amazing' rescue
On Facebook, people were in awe of the rescue.
“Wow, huge shout out to a bunch of awesome heroes,” one woman wrote.
“Thanks for saving those dogs as well.”
One man called the efforts to save the pair “amazing”.
“Outstanding job to the first responders and all those that were there to lend a hand at the right time,” another man wrote.
“My heart dropped after seeing those pictures.”
with The Associated Press
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