Semi leaning off Deception Pass bridge (WA State) | Seattle P-I

[Ediacara]

Friday, January 30, 2004

Semi leaning off Deception Pass bridge


KOMO-TV

KOMO-TV STAFF

ISLAND COUNTY - A semi truck collided with a pickup truck while crossing the Deception Pass bridge early Friday and was leaning over the edge.

"I just came around the corner and got about halfway down the bridge," semi driver Gene Schaible told KOMO 4 News. "I felt (the wind) hit me. ... I throttled into it and (the wind) just took me across the bridge."

I saw oncoming traffic coming, I knew I was going to hit (the pickup), so I just let off the throttle and hit the brakes and that's when the whole thing went over and he (the pickup) went under me."

Schaible, who was not hurt, was able to get out of his cab, which was leaning over the edge of the bridge.

More at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer

[Ediacara]

1. Just for some perspective about this bridge

It connects Whidbey Island in Puget Sound to Fidalgo Island and to the mainland, and is the only road on or off the island (although there are two ferry routes linking the southeastern end and western end).

The bridge as viewed from the beach:


It's around 100 feet high IIRC, and this is the last place in the world I'd want to have a truck hanging off of. On top of that, the tidal currents that run through Deception Pass are INTENSE and could rip the wreckage of a truck to bits (not to mention gas and oil, and all of the stuff that was in the trailer...).

[philosophie_en_rose]

4. Oh my goodness!

That's so dangerous and it isolates the islanders from the mainland. What will the mallrats do? :)

Seriously, I used to live between Coupeville and Oak Harbor. I am very sorry for the residents and for the people involved. It's a very dangerous and narrow bridge.

[Ediacara]

5. Another image

Not "dangling" so much as leaning dangerously. This one is from the Seattle Times:

[kainah]

6. It's a beautiful bridge

with some great views, but I don't think I'd want to be hanging off it! What a scary situation for everyone. Anyone needing/wanting to cross that bridge is going to be in for a hell of a detour if it's closed.

[Bozola]

2. There's a pucker inducing situation

Dangling 190 feet over the most vicious currents in the Puget Sound area. You fall in there, they'll pull you up in a crab pot in the San Juans a couple of weeks later.

[hang a left]

3. Whoa! That is hairy! Lucky guy.