23 June 2023 , 15:12
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A search is underway for a driver who plunged off a bridge and into the water below after a crash.
A semi truck crashed on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, Virginia, on Thursday at around 2pm. It happened in the northbound lanes between Virginia Beach and the southernmost island, according to bridge spokesman Thomas Anderson.
The US Coast Guard has been brought in to aid in the search for the driver who crashed over the side of the bridge. There's no information on what caused the crash or the status of the driver.
According to reports, the truck went over the side of the bridge at about the 1-mile marker. officials say it went over the left side of the northbound lanes at around 1.50pm.
Maintenance crews worked to make emergency repairs to the bridge - which had damage to the guardrail and curb.
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The Coast Guard said multiple agencies are involved in the search for the missing person including Coast Guard Station Little Creek, Coast Guard Cutter Sailfish, Coast Guard Cutter Seahawk, Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, Virginia Beach Police, Virginia Beach Fire Department, Virginia Beach EMS, and Virginia Marine Resource Commission.
The side of the bridge was destroyed by the crash (WTKR)Chief Warrant Officer Dan Butierries, Coast Guard Sector Virginia search and rescue mission coordinator, said: "This is a concentrated joint search effort consisting of multiple rescue crews, search aircraft, and boats.
"We are committed to searching by land and see throughout the night and into the morning."
Joseph Sanabria was on his way home from work when he saw the flashing lights and traffic started to slow down. Eventually, he got out of his car and started filming the scene.
Speaking to News 3, he said: "Being here 25 years, I'm thinking, maybe twice, I've heard of it, seen it on the news, but never driving home, pulling over and seeing it first hand."
He described the situation as "gut-wrenching".
"I'm almost 60," he said, "and there are some things in life you just don't want to see because you know you'll never get over, and these are one of those things."
The circumstances surrounding the crash are being investigated. It's at least the sixth time in recent years that a large truck has crashed over the side of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, according to local news outlets.
Footage from the scene shows a portion of the tractor-trailer sinking into the water, with someone off camera being heard saying: "Oh my god, look at that."
Local beachgoers have also noticed trees washing up on the shoreline, with speculation that this may have been what the driver was carrying in the truck when they went over the side of the bridge.
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The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is a 20-mile-long toll crossing consisting of four lanes over the lower Chesapeake Bay. It's the only direct link between Hampton Roads, Virginia and the Eastern Shore of Virginia.