Workers begin clearing wrecked truck from Astoria Bridge

Published 4:00 pm Sunday, November 18, 2012

HERE ARE THE LATEST UPDATES:

Astoria Bridge still closed

A commercial truck driver received minor injuries Monday when high winds blew his truck and semi-trailer over onto their side on the U.S. Highway 101 Astoria-Megler Bridge.

The bridge remains closed until a tow truck can remove both vehicles. Work on this difficult process began mid-afternoon.

According to Oregon State Police Trooper Jessica Spurlock, at approximately 10 a.m., a 2011 Volvo truck pulling an empty 53-foot semi-trailer driven by Rodney L. Woodzell, 50, from Dayton, Ohio, was traveling southbound on Highway 101 near milepost 3 over the bridge when it lost control in high winds.

The truck and semi-trailer rolled onto their left side with the trailer coming to rest partially against the guardrail. Oregon State Police (OSP), ODOT and local emergency personnel responded to the scene.

Woodzell was transported by an Astoria policer officer to Columbia Memorial Hospital with minor injuries.

Due to severe weather conditions and high winds, recovery of the truck and trailer did not begin until midafternoon Monday. The bridge remains closed on both the Oregon and Washington sides.

Highway 30 reopened

U.S. Highway 30 was closed by the Crest Motel in Astoria because of a downed power line but has been reopened

Highway 26 reopened

Also in weather related news, U.S. Highway 26 was closed because of multiple downed trees but has been reopened as of 1 p.m.

Providence running on generators

Providence Seaside Hospital is running on generators Monday and surgeries were cancelled.

 

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