News
Firefighter Saves Driver Trapped in Truck Hanging over Kentucky Bridge
In a heart-stopping moment on Friday, a tractor-trailer driver found herself trapped in her cab dangling high above the Ohio River off the side of a Kentucky bridge after a multivehicle crash. The scene was tense as emergency responders shouted directions to the driver from the bridge, setting up a rope system to lower Louisville firefighter Bryce Carden to the rescue.
Mr. Carden recalled the driver’s relief when he reached her in the cab, grateful to be saved from the precarious situation. He had to use a pocketknife to cut her out of her seatbelt, eventually getting her out and securing her with a harness before being lifted up to the bridge with her.
As they ascended to safety, Mr. Carden kept reassuring the driver, telling her ‘I have you’ while they prayed together during the rescue. Unbeknownst to them, news crews and drones captured the riveting footage of the rescue, which was broadcast live, showcasing the heroism and teamwork displayed in this harrowing situation.
The driver, who remained calm throughout the ordeal, was not publicly identified. However, it was clear that the gravity of the situation hit her once she was safely back on the bridge, realizing the danger she had escaped.
Mr. Carden, a seasoned firefighter, had practiced the rope rescue technique many times, but this was the first time he had to execute it in a real emergency. The Louisville fire chief, Brian O’Neill, praised the rescue as a “once-in-a-career type of thing,” emphasizing the risks involved in such a precarious and unpredictable situation.
Chief O’Neill commended Mr. Carden’s calm and collected demeanor, stating that he was the perfect person to lead the high-stakes rescue and keep the driver safe throughout the ordeal. The driver was taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, while two others involved in the crash faced more serious injuries.
The truck was eventually removed from the bridge, and state transportation officials announced plans to partially reopen the bridge by Saturday evening. After the rescue, Mr. Carden went back to work, reflecting on the intense experience and the rush of emotions that followed.
In the end, it was a testament to the bravery and skill of the emergency responders, like Bryce Carden, who put their lives on the line to save others in moments of crisis. The successful rescue showcased the importance of training, teamwork, and quick thinking in life-threatening situations, leaving a lasting impact on all those involved.
News
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Protesters reach an agreement to dismantle encampment
Protesters at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have agreed to end their pro-Palestinian encampment following an agreement reached with the school, university officials announced on Sunday. The encampment, which had been in place for two weeks, will be dismantled by Tuesday, marking the end of what was believed to be the last standing encampment at a Wisconsin college.
University officials had allowed the encampment to remain on a patch of lawn between Mitchell Hall and a busy thoroughfare on the campus’s southern boundary, opting not to involve law enforcement. This approach differed from the response at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where police were called in to remove tents after negotiations fell through. Despite initial efforts to disband the encampment, Wisconsin-Madison eventually reached an agreement with protesters to voluntarily dismantle the camp prior to commencement ceremonies.
Chancellor Mark Mone of Wisconsin-Milwaukee stated last Wednesday that the university had exhibited “the widest possible amount of patience and restraint.” However, he also cautioned that patience was wearing thin and hinted at potential action by the school. Following discussions with the UWM Popular University for Palestine Coalition, the university agreed to advocate for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, condemn the destruction of schools and universities in Gaza by Israeli forces, and hold meetings with protest leaders regarding university investments.
Additionally, the university pledged to urge the Water Council, a Milwaukee organization of water technology companies, to sever connections with two Israeli government-owned entities, Mekorot and the Israel Innovation Authority. Chancellor Mone serves as the treasurer on the Water Council’s board of directors.
In return for these commitments, the protesters agreed to dismantle the encampment beginning on Sunday and completing the process by Tuesday. They also agreed not to disrupt the university’s commencement ceremonies scheduled for Sunday. In a statement, the protesters expressed their satisfaction with the agreement, stating, “After hard fought edits and careful consideration by the coalition, we determined we had obtained all possible benefits from the encampment.”
The resolution of the encampment at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee represents a successful outcome of negotiations between university officials and protesters. By reaching a compromise that addresses the concerns of both parties, a peaceful resolution has been achieved, allowing for the encampment to be taken down without incident.