BRADFORD TOWNSHIP – State police at Clearfield have initiated an investigation into an accident that resulted in a man falling more than 100 feet from a bridge along Interstate 80 into the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.
Bobbie Jo Merrell of Johnson City, Tenn. stopped his freightliner semi-truck along I-80 eastbound at mile-marker 121 in Bradford Township. He reportedly wanted to check for damage to his truck after striking the side barrier of I-80, state police said.
However, the man fell over the bridge into the river below. He managed to get to the river bank, and multiple emergency crews responded to the scene to assist with getting him to safety, according to state police.
State police said the man was communicating with first responders who reached him along the river bank. He was then taken to an area trauma center.
The accident closed I-80 for a short time at about 11 a.m. The accident remains under investigation, state police said.