A couple was saved by a heroic team of first responders after their truck crashed over the railing of the Malad Gorge bridge on Interstate 84 in Idaho. The 2004 Ford F-150 towing a Flagstaff Super Lite RV trailer was found dangling by just a single trailer safety chain. It was about 100-feet to the canyon floor, a drop that would have likely meant death for the truck’s occupants, a couple and 2 dogs.
“This was a tremendous team effort that took a quick response and really showed the dedication and training of our community of first responders,” said Capt. David Neth of the Idaho State Police District 4 in Jerome. “This is something we train and prepare for, but when it happens and people’s lives literally hang in the balance, it takes everyone working together, and then some.”
Witnesses on scene reported that; “The truck and camper swerved hitting the right shoulder barrier, then went left until the truck was sliding on the left side guardrail. The truck then tipped over the bridge, with the camper blocking both eastbound lanes. Only the safety chain attached between the truck and the camper kept the truck from falling.”
A rappel team was able to get harnesses on the couple in the truck and safely raise them back to the safety of the bridge. The 67-year-old male driver and 64-year-old female passenger were both wearing their seatbelts, which helped them avoid injury and not fall from the dangling truck. They both sustained non-life-threatening injuries but were quickly transported to the local hospital for evaluation.
To top it off, there were two dogs in the dangling pickup as well. Both were rescued and had no serious injuries.
