UPDATE: Driver unhurt after going off west end of West Seattle Bridge

(WSB photo by Patrick Sand)

12:58 PM: The response to an incident toward the west end of the West Seattle Bridge has just upgraded to “heavy rescue.” Texters are telling us a vehicle apparently went through the railing and onto Manning. So avoid the westbound bridge after Delridge, and avoid Harbor/Avalon/Manning on the surface.

1:12 PM: We’ve just arrived in the area. The Harbor/Avalon intersection is not affected – it’s the stub of Manning under the bridge. Firefighters tell us the driver is not hurt.

1:18 PM: Photo added. It’s a 4 x 4 pickup, our photographer reports. (added) Seattle Fire’s technical rescuers are trying to strategize how the vehicle can be removed.

1:27 PM: Above, photo tweeted by SFD showing their rescuers on the scene. They describe the drop as about 20′. Meanwhile, SDOT is up on the bridge:

Not sure how this is affecting the Fauntleroy end of the westbound bridge right now but we’re headed over to look.

Bridge is fully open; red tape strung where truck took out railing pic.twitter.com/82g96X4ftp

— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) October 29, 2016

3:01 PM: We went by the scene again a short time ago, status quo, truck still perpendicular. But we’ve since received this photo showing the tow truck working on pulling it out:

And thanks again to everyone for all the tips/updates.

JanS October 29, 2016 (1:06 pm)

I heard all the sirens, etc.going down Admiral . Googled the address, and I surmised that a car had gone off the bridge. Rain, slickness, speed..terrible combination. Results of this accident can’t be good :(

Julie October 29, 2016 (1:08 pm)

Just got off nto Admiral Way and saw the car nose down tail upright next to the bridge. Prayers to all involved.

ConcernedinWS October 29, 2016 (1:12 pm)

This kind of scenario terrifies me for motorists on the bridge. So many people treat it like a highway, exceeding the speed limit and passing on another without adequate following distance. Even in very wet weather.

WSB October 29, 2016 (1:13 pm)

Just added to story – firefighters tell us the driver is UNHURT.
Paperclip October 29, 2016 (8:08 pm)

The road needs to be resurfaced as the concrete is very worn and tends to pool water. That and so many s—ty drivers on their phone. The highway really needs to be 50mph EB past the steel mill as many dangerous slowpokes tend to stick in the left lanes; henceforth you get people dangerously passing one another.
- JackSprat October 29, 2016 (9:19 pm)
  
  The road on the bridge is not a highway even though too many people treat it like that. Most people speed across the whole bridge if there isn’t traffic to stop them. It’s the speeders that cause the problems (that’s what caused this wreck), not people going the speed limit or under.
- JanS October 30, 2016 (6:10 pm)
  
  paperclip…it needs to stay 45…people are already passing us drivers who go the speed limit at speeds of 60-70 mph. And people are in the left lane because they are going to get on I-5. People in the next lane to the right are headed to Beacon, I-5 south, 4th S, 1st. S., or 99. It’s common sense, and much easier than jockeying for position at high speeds at the last minute. Everyone needs to go the speed limit(especially when it’s raining or dark!)…it’s not a damned freeway!

DRW October 29, 2016 (1:14 pm)

Really glad the driver wasn’t hurt.

Hilary October 29, 2016 (1:23 pm)

Thank goodness the driver is ok!! We drove by right after it happened, so scary!!

JanS October 29, 2016 (1:26 pm)

amazing that driver is not hurt. I’m sure a change of clothes was needed, though. Wow!

Jay Koster October 29, 2016 (1:29 pm)

Glad the driver is okay and I feel sorry for anyone caught in the traffic associated with this.

WSB October 29, 2016 (2:09 pm)

Turned out that, aside from maybe people stopping in shock immediately afterward, there were NO traffic effects. Bridge remained open, Avalon wasn’t affected, etc. Might be some residual stuff later for getting the truck out and repairing the railing.
Mike October 30, 2016 (7:25 am)

Ok, this meme made me laugh

WestSeattleFran October 29, 2016 (1:34 pm)

Looks like a few feet and they would have hit one of those houses. Someone is very lucky today!

Alki Resident October 29, 2016 (1:42 pm)

That driver better buy a lottery ticket.

Mamasuze October 29, 2016 (1:42 pm)

Seriously…..? How on earth do you DO that?

Karen Chilcutt October 29, 2016 (1:44 pm)

Very glad the driver is ok!!

I did NOT go over the side of the West Seattle bridge last Sunday evening while stopped at its crest from approximately 7:10-7:45 pm. I had had a car problem but was able to get to the north side and parked awaiting AAA to help. The gentlemen who came was absolutely wonderful. I had been quite scared as I knew if someone did hit me, I’d be over the side and certainly would not live to tell about it.

What I’d like to know is why was the AAA man there before the police? Doesn’t someone or something patrol the bridge??

dsa October 29, 2016 (1:51 pm)

The driver’s wallet is going to hurt.

lookingforlogic October 29, 2016 (2:02 pm)

Little over confident in driving skills?

ACG October 29, 2016 (2:13 pm)

Wow. Amazed that thankful that no one was hurt.

WestCake October 29, 2016 (2:21 pm)

The blackberry? bushes cushioned the impact of his truck.

colleen October 29, 2016 (2:45 pm)

Yes, that and the very wet ground, I was thinking. Astonishing luck.
sbre October 30, 2016 (9:45 am)

And I bet he was wearing his seatbelt AND the air-bag employed!

All these elements combined worked to make him the luckiest man on earth yesterday, I bet he has a good tale to tell!!!

Cecile DePanfilis October 29, 2016 (2:52 pm)

Looks like traffic was backed up on font LeRoy because of DOT and fire vehicles but no problem getting off on Admiral at about 230 . Love the spelling of Fauntleroy 😉

WSB October 29, 2016 (3:00 pm)

We went by again about 15 minutes ago and it was still perpendicular to the ground, with SFD still on scene, but someone has since sent us a photo I am adding of the tow truck starting to do it work.

sc October 29, 2016 (4:06 pm)

Uff da (as they say in Ballard!)

JC October 29, 2016 (8:24 pm)

Ok does anyone know how this happened??

Wsgal October 29, 2016 (8:55 pm)

Uff da is a common term in many places. Sorry.

Don Brubeck October 29, 2016 (10:09 pm)

Paperclip: The problem is not the wet roadway surface or the drivers who are not exceeding the speed limit. The crashes are caused by the drivers who are impatient, impaired, distracted, speeding, tailgating, making dangerous passes, or not focusing their attention on driving.

JanS October 30, 2016 (6:04 pm)

Don…same thing to you. You weren’t there. You have no idea what happened. Again, I suggest you read Sara’s post about her friend and what happened, and lighten up. It was an accident, and we should just be glad the driver is OK. There but for the grace of, and all that. And yes, slick roads do add to accidents. Pontificating about how awful these accident victims and their driving skills are is simply wrong. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
- West Seattle Hipster November 2, 2016 (5:11 pm)
  
  Looks like Don was right.

Bryan October 29, 2016 (11:05 pm)

Don says it best. No changes needed. Just don’t be a dumb and distracted driver.

Sara October 30, 2016 (12:31 pm)

I know the driver personally and he was going the speed limit. The truck fishtailed in the inner lane, sending his front bumper off of the center divider, where he ricocheted to the right and over the edge. Please don’t ridicule what was a terrifying experience for this person.
- JanS October 30, 2016 (5:57 pm)
  
  Thanks, Sara. We can speculate all we want, but the truth is…it wasn’t us, and we weren’t there. I’m glad your friend is OK. I can only imagine how terrifying it was.
JanS October 30, 2016 (6:00 pm)

Bryan…until you have experienced this, claiming that the driver was “dumb and distracted” is simply wrong. I suggest you read Sara’s post about her friend and what happened, and keep your opinions to yourself.

AMD October 30, 2016 (12:01 am)

Cars flip doing 20 mph on residential roads with cars parked on both sides.

Sedan hits barrier on the bridge and lands on top of it.

Truck goes over the rail and land perfectly perpendicular.

I feel like science really needs to study West Seattle roads.

Beth October 30, 2016 (2:21 am)

Time to drive the speed limit.

Kristine October 30, 2016 (9:43 am)

How exactly did this person go over the side of the bridge??? I’m confused about what happened.

anonyme October 30, 2016 (9:48 am)

It scares me to death every time I’m on a bus barreling over that bridge along the so-called railing. The existing railings are not adequate to prevent vehicles from going over the edge at the speeds allowed. They are more like speed bumps.

dsa October 30, 2016 (5:48 pm)

This is exactly true, those existing curbs and railings are not safe. They should be updated with the safety shape “Jersey” style barrier found in newer installations.

22blades October 31, 2016 (7:39 am)

“I know the driver personally and he was going the speed limit.”

He must have been driving the only Ford Pickup driving the speed limit, uphill to crash over the cement barrier, through the aluminum guardrail and fall 20 feet.

“The highway really needs to be 50mph EB past the steel mill as many dangerous slowpokes tend to stick in the left lanes; henceforth you get people dangerously passing one another.”

I understand the frustration with drivers going maybe too slow, BUT, there’s no excuse for driving over the limitations of the vehicle. Speed Limits are just that; limits. If conditions warrant it, a slower speed consistent to safe operations is a good idea. Wet roadway, speeding uphill, negotiating a corner with a empty truck bed sounds like a sounds like a bad idea. Trucks aren’t cars. Just the fact you’re reading this blog says it wasn’t normal.

Stricter licensing, initial training & testing, recurrent Training & testing and remedial training & testing after accidents. Better drivers, not better guardrails. It’s not a right, it’s a SKILL.

bolo October 31, 2016 (11:26 am)

Depending on conditions, that curve is often surprisingly slick. Let’s see: Curve on a hill, not banked, whatever traction-enhancing surface treatment (blade-cut slots) that was originally applied have been long ago worn away.

Andy November 1, 2016 (6:30 am)

The driver should be given a ticket for negligent driving or, at the very least, driving too fast for conditions.

WSB November 1, 2016 (11:13 am)

I have finally had a chance to follow up with police on this. SPD says the driver WAS cited for “unreasonable speed in roadway conditions.” So the final word from police is that they believe he was going too fast on a wet roadway (it was raining that morning though I think it had stopped before the crash). He was *not* impaired. I am still researching a couple other things and will likely write a separate followup.