Louisville, KY – Emergency crews rescued a driver from a semitruck Sunday morning after the vehicle crashed on the Kennedy Bridge, leaving the truck’s cab precariously dangling over the edge.
The incident occurred around 9:50 a.m. on Interstate 65 near downtown Louisville. According to TRIMARC, the truck was heading southbound when the driver lost control for an unknown reason and struck the bridge’s railing. The crash caused the cab of the tractor-trailer to hang dangerously over the side of the bridge, leaving the driver trapped inside.
In a 911 call released Monday afternoon, the driver could be heard in a state of distress, expressing his fear of falling. “Can y’all please help me, I’m about to… I’m about to fall down off from the bridge,” he pleaded with the dispatcher. The driver, who was visibly shaken, later added, “I’m just hanging off the bridge, I don’t want to die.”
The dispatcher, remaining calm and composed throughout the call, quickly asked for details and reassured the driver that help was on the way. “Is it just the cab hanging over?” the dispatcher inquired. To which the driver, looking down at the ground beneath him, replied, “I don’t know, I don’t know. I’m just looking at the ground right now.”
As the minutes passed, the driver expressed his fear, saying, “I can’t… I’m even afraid to move in the truck right now. I’m just… oh my gosh. This is… f*** me bro.” Despite his distress, the dispatcher continued to offer calming words, telling him, “They’re coming, OK, we’ve got everyone coming to you.”
The driver shared more of his thoughts during the call, saying, “It’s like a nightmare,” and later laughing nervously, saying, “Why do I gotta die tonight?” At one point, he described the truck’s load, noting it was carrying packages.
Throughout the tense call, the dispatcher assured the driver that rescue teams were on their way and urged him to stay still. “I know they can get you out. They have done it before,” the dispatcher said, referencing a similar incident that had occurred the previous year.
Louisville Fire and Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) arrived at the scene shortly after the call, and firefighters quickly implemented a rescue plan. Using a rope, they were able to bring the driver to safety, ensuring his well-being.
LMPD later confirmed that the driver was conscious and alert throughout the ordeal, and miraculously, no one was injured in the crash.
The harrowing incident serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by drivers on busy highways and the incredible efforts made by emergency responders in life-threatening situations. Despite the severity of the crash, the driver was safely rescued, thanks to the coordinated efforts of local first responders.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but officials have confirmed that no other vehicles were involved.
