VIDEO: Miraculous escape of US Mail driver whose vehicle plunged into Charles River
A tractor-trailer carrying the US mail plummeted off a bridge into the Charles River near Boston on Saturday, February 26. Fortunately, the driver survived after he sought refuge atop the truck as it slowly submerged under water. As soon as first responders arrived at the scene, he yelled that he couldn't swim. He had to be rescued before the vehicle sank completely.
A video released by State Police Association of Massachusetts on Sunday, February 27 shows the terrifying moment a tractor trailer carrying US mail plunged nearly 50 feet off a bridge, slamming into the icy Charles River near the ramp from Interstate 95 to Interstate 90 in Weston, Massachusetts. The driver whose name is not disclosed was taken to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston to be evaluated. No injuries were reported.
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State troopers and Weston firefighters responded to the area shortly after the crash and found the truck partially submerged and the driver clinging to the top. The firefighters were able to rescue the driver and transported him to shore safely after he called out to inform them that he couldn't swim. Weston Deputy Fire Chief Justin Woodside told NBC 10 Boston that firefighters were quick to respond because they were already out on the road in the area, shoveling hydrants from Friday's snowfall.
"We were able to make an effective rescue", Woodside said. "Our two members went in with suits and we got him and it took about maybe four minutes or so upon arrival." Massachusetts State Police and the Weston Fire Department said the tractor trailer crossed over a ramp before diving over the bridge and into the water below, near the ramp from I-95 to the Massachusetts Turnpike. NBC 10 reported that heavy duty tows were brought in to remove the truck from the river, which reportedly broke in half in the process, spilling packages into the water.
The Boston Globe reported that the truck had been transporting mail and packages for the US Postal Service in Brockton, which was notified about the crash. The postal officials in a statement said that the inspection division is investigating the crash with state and local police. "The disposition of any mail on board will be determined by Postal Inspectors once their investigation is completed," the statement said. The police said that it did not appear any fuel leaked into the water and the cause of the crash is under investigation.