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Woman ejected from Bay Bridge crash swims to safety
WTOP News Online ^ | 20 July 2013 | WTOP News

Posted on 07/20/2013 9:54:56 AM PDT by COBOL2Java


A tractor trailer hit a car sending the driver over the guardrail of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. (MSHA Bay Bridge camera)


WASHINGTON - A collision involving a tractor-trailer and two vehicles sent a car and its driver over the side of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and down 40 feet into the water on Friday night, but the driver was able to climb to safety.

Anne Arundel County Fire Battalion Chief Steve Thompson said the driver, a 22- year-old woman, was rescued and flown to Maryland Shock Trauma in Baltimore. She was in critical condition late Friday with non-life-threatening injuries.

Thompson said the collision occurred at about 8:25 p.m. Friday in the eastbound lanes of the bridge, which connects Maryland's Eastern Shore with the rest of the state, including Annapolis.

(Excerpt) Read more at wtop.com ...


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To: COBOL2Java

“...down 40 feet into the water on Friday night, but the driver was able to climb to safety.”

That in itself seems pretty amazing. I would thinking hitting water from that height would be a lot like hitting pavement. That is, I’m surprised she wasn’t knocked out or rendered unconscious inside her vehicle.

I’m no expert on these sorts of things, of course. Glad she was able to escape and then make it to shore alive.


21 posted on 07/20/2013 12:35:35 PM PDT by DemforBush (Bring me the head of Alfredo Garcia!)
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To: DemforBush

I’m wondering what her seatbelt status was.

My guess is “NOT” since no mention has been made yet at all.


22 posted on 07/20/2013 12:51:43 PM PDT by the OlLine Rebel (Common sense is an uncommon virtue./Technological progress cannot be legislated.)
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

One of the scariest bridges to drive across in the developed world. This woman might have the sweats for the rest of her life if she goes near a bridge. Congratulations to her for being a survivor!


23 posted on 07/20/2013 1:25:15 PM PDT by Albion Wilde ("Remember... the first revolutionary was Satan."--Russian Orthodox Archpriest Dmitry Smirnov)
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To: COBOL2Java; Abundy; Albion Wilde; AlwaysFree; AnnaSASsyFR; bayliving; BFM; Bigg Red; ...

Maryland “Freak State” PING!


24 posted on 07/22/2013 11:57:00 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks (I don't always vote, but when I do, I SURE AS HELL DON'T VOTE DEMOCRAT!)
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To: COBOL2Java
The bridge(s) in question:


25 posted on 07/22/2013 12:00:14 PM PDT by ArrogantBustard (Western Civilization is Aborting, Buggering, and Contracepting itself out of existence.)
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To: ArrogantBustard

Is this everyone’s worst nightmare or what?

I hate bridges like that.


26 posted on 07/22/2013 12:01:38 PM PDT by MrB (The difference between a Humanist and a Satanist - the latter admits whom he's working for)
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To: MrB
< shrug >

I have driven across worse.

27 posted on 07/22/2013 12:02:41 PM PDT by ArrogantBustard (Western Civilization is Aborting, Buggering, and Contracepting itself out of existence.)
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To: ArrogantBustard

It’s not the bridge so much, but the literal nightmares about driving off the edge into the water.


28 posted on 07/22/2013 12:03:35 PM PDT by MrB (The difference between a Humanist and a Satanist - the latter admits whom he's working for)
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To: MrB

Is this everyone’s worst nightmare or what?

UU
Before this incident, no. But it will be now, whenever I drive across that stupid Bay Bridge.

I live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, but my children and grandchildren live on the Western Shore. I avoid the Bridge as much as possible because,if there is a tie-up, you are stuck, there is no detour route around it.

Instead of using this bridge, I drive up around the northern top of the Bay, which is about 20 miles longer for me, but not really any longer in terms of driving time.


29 posted on 07/22/2013 12:09:08 PM PDT by Bigg Red (Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved! -Ps80)
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To: MrB

One span has Jersey Barriers along the edges. The other span has a very flimsy looking steel guardrail. That one is a bit more unnerving.


30 posted on 07/22/2013 12:10:26 PM PDT by ArrogantBustard (Western Civilization is Aborting, Buggering, and Contracepting itself out of existence.)
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

Stories like this make me think I should get one of those tools I see advertised for breaking out your window and cutting your seat belt....


31 posted on 07/22/2013 12:10:26 PM PDT by Bigg Red (Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved! -Ps80)
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To: the OlLine Rebel

“I’m wondering what her seatbelt status was..”

I read an article earlier today and saw an interview with the victim. She stated she removed her seatbelt after she was completely submerged in water and felt like she was drowning. She left via the driver’s side window (that had been completely smashed open from the truck) and pushed off.. swimming to the surface. I am thinking her guardian angel was working overtime that day!


32 posted on 07/22/2013 12:49:49 PM PDT by momtothree
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To: ArrogantBustard; MrB; Tolerance Sucks Rocks

“”Maryland’s State Highway Administration is reporting delays because of an accident on the Bay Bridge. There are traffic delays traveling Eastbound beginning at Exit 32 a half mile from the toll plaza. Westbound delays begin at Exit 38A at Thompson Creek Road. Those delays are about 1.5 miles long. One westbound lane has been closed. The accident reportedly involves two cars. “”

I live on the Eastern Shore, in Virginia, but have lived and worked on DelMarVa for the past 30 years - I absolutely ABHOR that bridge.


33 posted on 07/22/2013 1:44:04 PM PDT by Gabz (Democrats for Voldemort.)
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To: ArrogantBustard
This picture's from a different incident, but gives an idea of the kind of drop the woman had once she went over the side:


34 posted on 07/22/2013 2:28:39 PM PDT by COBOL2Java (I'm a Christian, pro-life, pro-gun, Reaganite. The GOP hates me. Why should I vote for them?)
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To: COBOL2Java
They used to close a span one day every year for a 10k race and for folks to walk across. I have done both.

It's a LONG way down.

35 posted on 07/22/2013 2:36:56 PM PDT by ArrogantBustard (Western Civilization is Aborting, Buggering, and Contracepting itself out of existence.)
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To: COBOL2Java

Actually this was much closer to the shore end on the segments quite close to the water. That pix is more central.


36 posted on 07/22/2013 6:39:49 PM PDT by the OlLine Rebel (Common sense is an uncommon virtue./Technological progress cannot be legislated.)
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To: the OlLine Rebel
My guess is “NOT” since no mention has been made yet at all.

I would think the "second collision" from a 40ft drop into water would be devastating without restraints.

37 posted on 07/22/2013 6:42:25 PM PDT by nascarnation (Baraq's economic policy: trickle up poverty)
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To: ArrogantBustard

Never had occasion to drive across that bridge, since all of my exposure to the Eastern Shore of Maryland came from flying into Salisbury. I’ve heard enough about the Bay Bridge, though. Thought it’d look more scary. The Bonner Bridge from South Nags Head to Hatteras Island in NC appears considerably higher to me. Love driving that one, heck of a view up there.


38 posted on 07/22/2013 6:49:21 PM PDT by RegulatorCountry
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To: nascarnation

Yes, very possibly. Though many “strange” things have happened.


39 posted on 07/22/2013 8:05:33 PM PDT by the OlLine Rebel (Common sense is an uncommon virtue./Technological progress cannot be legislated.)
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To: COBOL2Java

Luckily Ted Kennedy wasn’t driving.


40 posted on 07/22/2013 8:06:22 PM PDT by dfwgator
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