Italy Bridge Collapse Witness Tells of Truck’s Escape

Green truck on edge of collapsed Morandi Bridge
A green truck stopped just short of the edge of the collapsed Morandi Bridge in Genoa, Italy. (Antonio Calanni/AP)

ROME — A witness to the deadly Genoa highway bridge collapse has provided a dramatic account to Italian television SKY TG24, including a description of how a green truck stopped just short of the abyss.

A driver identified only as Idris said the truck was saved because another vehicle passed it at the last second, forcing the truck to brake slightly. Just then, Idris said, the passing car “went down.”

Idris said the driver of the green truck braked right where the bridge collapsed. “He went back 3 meters then left the motor running and ran. I was behind him, two cars back. I backed up a little, leaving space for other cars. When I saw the thing was so big, that everything had fallen, I took the keys and got out of there.”