This couple and their dogs were saved thanks to their trailer chains and quick work by the emergency response team. The incident happened earlier this week on the Malad Gorge Bridge on interstate I-84 near the Snake River in southern Idaho. The Ford Super Duty truck and the camping trailer went out of control and happened to go over the bridge railing. The trailer turned over the big F-350 crew cab 4×4 heavy-duty truck was dangling over the deep gorge suspended by the trailer safety chain(s).
You can find out more about this incident at the Magic Valley paramedics page.
Inside the truck were a 67-year-old driver and his 64-year-old wife, from Garden City, Idaho, along with their two small dogs. The trailer safety chains are there as an additional safety measure in case the hitch coupling between the truck and the trailer fails for some reason. These chains are connected to the trailer frame with welded loops on one end, and with hooks to the truck’s hitch on the over end. It was a life-saver that these chains were properly connected and were heavy-duty enough to handle the weight of the trailer (or the truck in this case). A truck like this can weigh between 7,000 – 8,000 lbs.
The good samaritans, Idaho state police, emergency towing and recovery personnel, and Magic Valley paramedics acted quickly, took every precaution, and saved the couple and their dogs. This story has a happy ending as nobody was seriously hurt. However, the truck, trailer, and much of the belongings are damaged or lost.
