Frequent RV'ers are well aware of the hazards that come with towing. Unfortunately, one Idaho couple saw firsthand the damage heavy winds can cause while driving down the road.
Emergency on the I-84
The couple was driving down the I-84 in their 2004 F-350, towing a 30-ft camper on March 15th. According to Idaho News 6, they began to swerve, hitting the right shoulder barrier.
The truck then hit the guardrail on the left, sending it tipping over the bridge. Their camper remained in the lanes obstructing eastbound traffic.
When the dust settled, the couple, a 67-year-old man and a 64-year-old woman, were left dangling headfirst into the Malad Gorge. Idaho State Police estimates it was an 80 to 100-foot drop to the bottom.
The single safety chain that secured their truck to their camper, was the only thing keeping them from falling.
Securing the Vehicle
A Idaho State Trooper was first to arrive on the scene and was able to yell down to the couple to see if they were okay. Both passenger were wearing their safety belts and did not have any threatening injuries.
A semi-truck driver, who happened to be on the road, immediately gave a second set of chains to the officer to assist in keeping the truck and camper attached while they waited for the remainder of the rescue crews.
A Gooding County Sheriff helped the Idaho State Trooper attached the secondary chain. The officers then waited for Magic Valley's SORT team and Air St. Luke to arrive.
Team Effort
SORT, Special Operations Rescue Team, is a paramedics group specially trained in angle rescues. The team rappelled down off the bridge next to the hanging vehicle, using a harness to bring each passenger up to safety, including the couple's two small dogs.
"This was a tremendous team effort that took a quick response and really showed the dedication and training of our community of first responders. This is something we train and prepare for, but when it happens, and people's lives literally hang in the balance, it takes everyone working together, and then some."
Capt. David Neth of the Idaho State Police
Paramedics took the couple to a nearby hospital for treatment. Both are expected to be okay.
Nine different agencies aided in saving this couple's lives. This incredible team effort had heroic results, saving the lives of a couple and their dogs.
This is called true Americanism!! When is pelosi going to understand what t means to be an American, and shut her idiotic mouth?!? Every time she says anything lately, it comes out as sheer stupidity!!
This team of helpers didn't consider their own lives, but were ready to save other lives!!
God bless them!!
I doubt Pelosi even knows where Idaho is! Let alone what true heroism is, like these men and women who didn't give a thought to their own lives, and just made sure that all involved came out of it safely! Thank you to all of the First Responders involved in this dicey rescue! You are all true American Heroes!
WOW, a great big THANK YOU to the rescue groups involved in saving this couple and their 2 dogs from a very scary situation!! Especially to the truck driver who stopped to loan them some more heavy chains so the truck didn't come free from the trailer!
I don't think I would ever want to be in a situation like this couple. It would be terrifying to be sitting in that truck staring at the bottom of that canyon. Thank GOD everyone (including their dogs) were alright. Although I would have liked to see how they got the truck back over the rail.
God's blessings on all these great people! I don't think l would have the courage to do their jobs! So glad the couple is okay and that they have their dog 🐕🐕 family with them. Wishing them all the best!
God Bless this team of dedicated people, wish we had a President and a GOP that understood that it take work and dedication to really makes things work not just one person or small group of people but takes all to work together.
wow!
Been over that one a few times before sturdy guard rails were in style. I drove my International pickup over an abandoned railroad bridge in the sixties Near Nampa. The rails were gone and one Tie was missing halfway across. Fortunately someone had left some planks there. It was eighty feet high. I didn't do that again.
This is truly America at it’s best. The American People have always been quick to respond and help others. Thank you to all who came to the aid of this couple and saved their lives.
God bless'em all!
Yep wish Our Government would learn from this awful situation that we as Americans in the time of need we help one another. Our Government today don't care about Our America of The United States, or We The people that they are supposed to be working for these Dems are taking The Peoples $ & doing what they want with it they don't care that they should be working & making decisions with The Republicans in office also they are running this Country down to the pit. We as Americans need to take a stand. What happen with The impeachment that Rep Green put in place no one has whispered one word..Our Country is going down & down fast something needs to be done...In God We Trust USA ...Amen...
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