加州建設中的公路橋坍塌。二人獲救。[英文]

Driver Rescued After Being Trapped In Truck
FedEx Truck Crushed In Bridge Collapse

POSTED: 11:49 am EDT July 31, 2007
UPDATED: 2:46 pm EDT July 31, 2007


BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. -- A dramatic rescue took place north of Oroville, Calif., Tuesday morning after support beams for a Highway 70 bridge project collapsed, crushing a FedEx truck and trapping the driver inside for more than two hours.

The bridge is being built along a stretch of highway at the junction of Highway 149. The California Highway Patrol said the incident was reported at about 7:18 a.m.

The California Department of Transportation said some steel false work used to support the project fell down on the road below, trapping the delivery truck.

One of the heavy beams smashed the front of the truck, trapping at least one of the legs of driver Robert Sylvester, 45, of Chico.

At about 10 a.m., rescue workers pulled Sylvester to safety after cutting the truck open. Sylvester was seen moving his arms and responding to firefighters.

Greg McFadden, one of the rescuers, said he and others did all they could to help Sylvester until he could be freed. He said the big challenge was keeping Sylvester conscious after the beam was lifted. Rescuers administered intravenous fluids.

"His foot was the major issue," McFadden said.

McFadden said Sylvester appeared as if he will survive.

"I think he's going to be good," he said.

After Sylvester was freed, he was taken to a nearby helicopter for transport to a hospital in Oroville.

Also, authorities said a construction worker was on top of the false work at the time of the collapse. He "surfed" the steel down to the ground and was injured, but officials said he will likely survive.

In addition, a crash involving a Caltrans truck took place a short distance south of the bridge collapse. At least one person was injured.
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