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Firefighters Rescue Mother & Daughters From Smashed Car Dangling Perilously Over Bridge

Firefighters Rescue Mother and Daughters From Smashed Car Dangling Perilously Over Bridge

Firefighters work to rescue a trapped woman and her two daughters as their car dangles over a freeway overpass in Southern California. (Image source: KTLA-TV)

A mother and her two daughters were rescued Thursday from their smashed car as it teetered perilously over a freeway overpass in Southern California.

Santa Barbara County firefighters removed a 10-year-old girl, a 10-week-old baby girl and their 36-year-old mother from their BMW as it was hanging over the edge, KTLA-TV reported. The car had lodged in the bridge railing on the northbound 101 freeway after colliding with a big-rig truck near Buellton.

Firefighters Rescue Mother and Daughters From Smashed Car Dangling Perilously Over Bridge

(Image source: Santa Maria Times)

The big-rig plunged over the bridge and burst into flame. The 48-year-old truck driver died at the scene.

The woman and her daughters were aided by a group of Navy Seabees who were coincidentally stuck in traffic near the scene, the Santa Maria Times reported. They used a forklift they were transporting to assist firefighters and rescue crews to free the trapped family.

The woman and 10-year-old girl suffered major injuries and were flown to the hospital. The 10-week-old girl was “conscious and alert” and sustained only minor injuries, according to KTLA.

Firefighters Rescue Mother and Daughters From Smashed Car Dangling Perilously Over Bridge

Firefighters were aided by a group of Navy Seabees who had been stuck in traffic near the scene and coincidentally happened to be transporting a forklift. (Image source: Santa Maria Times)

Capt. David Sadecki with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department told the Santa Maria Times it was “very fortunate” the Seabees had a forklift nearby, calling the rescue operation “extensive.”

“[It was] one of the most difficult ones we’ve had in a long time,” he said. “Almost to the point where you couldn’t tell what type of car it was, which is pretty remarkable.”

Firefighters Rescue Mother and Daughters From Smashed Car Dangling Perilously Over Bridge

The big-rig that collided with the family's BMW plunged over the bridge and burst into flames. The 48-year-old driver died at the scene. (Image source: Santa Maria Times)

Comments (85)

1 2
  • janmil200
    Posted on January 14, 2012 at 4:15pm

    Well, it’s like these 4 seabees just happened to be in the neighborhood and just happened to have a forklift with them…A coincidence? I think not.

    Report Post »  
    • Bronco II
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 4:53pm

      I agree GOD places people and objects where he wants them and for his purpose and the credit should go to GOD who then used the firefighters and the SeaBees to do a miracle.I know some will say what about the truck driver the only thing I can say and I definetly don’t speak or ever will speak for GOD.He is with him now those who pass in the flesh are not sprirtually dead they all return to the FATHER and are waiting in heaven for the LORDS DAY.We have a GOD of the living not the dead and he is in a better place so pray for his family for their loss and if they are faith based people they will go thru the grieving process but in their heart of hearts know where he is and GOD knows their hearts will be hurting for awhile but he will also comfort them after all he sent us the COMFORTER JESUS CHRIST.I pray for the woman and her two babies that they make a full recovery.

      Report Post » Bronco II  
    • Joe_2112
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 6:49pm

      Oh, really? God put the forklift there? Credit should go to God?

      What about the trucker? No love from God for him or his family, eh?

      Now do you realize how ridiculous your conclusion is? If God determines who lives and who dies what kind of life is that? I suppose you believe in the Pearly Gates, and Heaven as well, because a book, and revisionist history told you so?

      Report Post »  
    • Candertwin
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 9:44pm

      Joe 2112, that is very presumptuous of you to think that you have a better understanding of God and that you can know his intentions over than other readers here. Where did you get your theology training, public school, a friend, a priest/pastor? Maybe your understanding of what or who God is, is not the same as other people. How can I be sure that you know better? What special gift do you have that others do not? Anyway your comment makes you look like an ignorant fool, and I would suggest wising up.

      Report Post »  
    • old white guy
      Posted on January 15, 2012 at 7:15am

      what a coincidence. those girls and their mother may have been at the bottom of the gorge if not for the navy seabees.

      Report Post »  
    • Joe_2112
      Posted on January 15, 2012 at 11:17am

      Canderetwin — Actually I wasn’t doing the “presuming”. That would be BroncoII and yourself. How absurd is it that you would claim to have some keen insight into the workings of God. Has God spoken with you directly? Did God explain his daily method of operation personally with you? What do you base your faith on……..the deluded word of others that has been passed down, and edited through the centuries? Your Pastor or Rabbi? Question: if God put that fork lift there as Bronco claimed, why not just prevent the whole damn thing?????? Let me guess….God’s plan ? You call me ignorant, I call you full of s….

      Report Post »  
    • thefbj
      Posted on January 15, 2012 at 6:43pm

      I am glad the people were helped and I’m sorry the truck driver died.

      My apologies to people who believe this, but if God put the Seabees and the forklift there, didn’t He also put the semi-trailer that crashed into them there? I don’t think people can attribute every aspect of what happens in life to God. It may be more comforting than to think that you were spared or not spared by random luck, but what about all of the people who are not spared terrible events each and every day. Does God hate them or ignore them? What about the truck driver, who burned alive, for instance.

      Report Post »  
    • AZDude
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 12:16am

      I will take my chances,,, and BELIEVE in GOD,,,

      Report Post »  
  • sam27
    Posted on January 14, 2012 at 3:42pm

    Ron Paul 2012

    Report Post » sam27  
    • greensteam
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 4:19pm

      ron paul thinks prostitution should be legal nationwide

      Report Post »  
    • nobama4ever
      Posted on January 15, 2012 at 10:42am

      Although I like some of Ron Paul’s views, I differ with his views on being tolerant towards islamic terrorists and do nothing to stop their intention to bring sharia law to this country. Ron Paul is also for open borders. This will eventually change the very fabric of what this country is based on.

      Report Post »  
  • Rowgue
    Posted on January 14, 2012 at 1:26pm

    The airheaded news babe at fox said they were saved by navy seals rather than seebees.

    Report Post »  
  • chipformica
    Posted on January 14, 2012 at 12:50pm

    Not only was it a miracle that the Seabees were there, take a look at the forklift. It was perfectly configured for this situation. We have 30 lifts at work and none could have made the double angle approach of this equipment.

    Report Post » chipformica  
    • pavepaws
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 1:30pm

      Go Seabees. “Construimus, Batuimus”. “We build, we fight”. Now add, “We save”.

      Report Post »  
  • doxyonr
    Posted on January 14, 2012 at 12:22pm

    Navy Seabees, firemen, rescue crews are true heroes.

    Report Post »  
  • NOT A CRAZY
    Posted on January 14, 2012 at 12:00pm

    How about some facts to go along with the story? Like how is the family in the BMW doing?

    I hope the Navy boys don’t decide to urinate on any of our dead enemies in the future or the PC idiots in Washington might try to put them up for war crimes despite their heroism.

    Like someone else said, was that a USA truck or a Mexican truck?

    Report Post » NOT A CRAZY  
    • txflmaca
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 12:24pm

      With comments like this “I hope the Navy boys don’t decide to urinate on any of our dead enemies in the future …” , you are a crazy.

      Report Post »  
    • NOT A CRAZY
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 12:30pm

      And with comments like that I know who the true enemies are…either that or you are just clueless.

      Report Post » NOT A CRAZY  
    • NOT A CRAZY
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 12:33pm

      What is up with Texas Florida Massachusetts and California anyway?

      Report Post » NOT A CRAZY  
    • COFemale
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 1:12pm

      Well aren’t we just a crazy left Liberal BIGOT? The truck driver is dead, it does not matter where the truck came from. I just love how you Liberal idiots sign on; I mean you all pick the lame avatar names and pictures; no wonder you aren’t liked by anyone.

      Also your logic of using another story in this story just because the rescuers in this instance were Navy just shows how ignorant and hateful you are. Frankly, I’d take getting “peed” on than beheaded any day.

      Report Post » COFemale  
    • Stoic one
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 2:56pm

      COFEMALE
      Actually the Origin of the truck is now important; Mexican trucks now can travel into this country, defects and all. It is curious that the dead driver is not named and the state of origin is not mentioned either.

      What is all that white stuff around the truck, snow?

      Report Post » Stoic one  
    • ronljl
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 2:59pm

      Sing praises to the training and equipment that the Sea Bees had a chance to use to save this family. I’m an ex-Coastie and a member of a County SAR org. We all live to try perform where and when needed!!
      As far as the Mexican truck comment is concerned, the (supposed) bigot may not be off the mark. Read your news about how Mexican truck and (by US/Candian standards) unquilifed drivers are on our highway today, and more expected if ‘Washington’ gets its way. Major accidents involving Mexican trucks is in our future. As I said, read up on the issue, bigot[?] may not be off the mark, but could have missed this time;, none-the-less.

      Report Post »  
  • Hickory
    Posted on January 14, 2012 at 11:37am

    Our troops always are at hand to help us and defend us. Good job Seabees.

    Report Post » Hickory  
  • abwehragent
    Posted on January 14, 2012 at 11:32am

    All the speculation concerning possible/probable causes for the accident are informative and entertaining. But should our first response in all situations of this sort be of concern for the victims and the families of those involved? Would you not want that sort of concern were you personally involved?
    What really matters in this life is the PEOPLE side of things. All else is temporary.
    My wife and I pray for the complete and rapid recovery of the injured, and for such comfort as may be for the family and friends of the truck driver. It all boils down to where each of us will spend eternity, with absolutely no chance after death to change the situation.

    Report Post » abwehragent  
    • NOTvotingforRomney
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 12:34pm

      Money matters also. If the person was drunk or high on drugs then they should be charged for the cost of their rescue. If the drive was an illegal alien, charge their country of origin for the cost of rescue.

      Report Post »  
  • RedTeam
    Posted on January 14, 2012 at 11:22am

    Great job by all. FYI, most of us at the FD make about half as much as SUBDOC thinks, we get no retierment healthcare benefit and will probably have to get a job after we retire. Also to the poster who mentioned having all FD’s be volunteer, most volunteer FD’s have found themselves with the lowest membership levels ever due to the economy. The other factor is that most, if not all, cities here in S.Fla are just to busy to be volunteer. The volunteers would never be able to work their jobs. BTW, I am both a paid firefighter/paramedic and a volunteer firefighter.

    Report Post »  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 11:41am

      God bless the Navy Sea Bee’s (motto: CAN DO) and they did. Don‘t think it was only a coincident the Sea Bee’s just happened to be in the right place at the right time with the right equipment to help. God does work in mysterious ways. Things like this aren’t merely happenstance.

      It did help that the Sea Bee base was south of Santa Barbara. I used to live on that base.

      Report Post »  
  • THXll38
    Posted on January 14, 2012 at 11:15am

    Props for all the hard work! BMWs are amazing machines, and this is yet another horrific accident showing that the BMW saved the lives of these people. In addition, the baby seat most likely saved the infant. Props to the engineers and other workers that bring these awesome products to the market!

    Report Post » THXll38  
    • NOT A CRAZY
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 12:01pm

      Where in that story does it say that the people ultimately lived or died or what their conditions are? Nice spin though.

      Report Post » NOT A CRAZY  
    • COFemale
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 1:18pm

      To CRAZY: “The woman and 10-year-old girl suffered major injuries and were flown to the hospital. The 10-week-old girl was “conscious and alert” and sustained only minor injuries, according to KTLA.”

      As of today, Saturday 11:15am MST, nothing indicating they died.

      I guess that public school you went to, did not teach you to comprehend what you read or you did not read the article and just decided to comment blindly. Frankly, with you, I am sure both are true.

      Report Post » COFemale  
    • Reavin
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 1:20pm

      Not A Crazy.

      If you watch the video the LEO says they are not life threatening.

      Report Post »  
  • Moe1138
    Posted on January 14, 2012 at 10:44am

    Was the big rig registered in the U.S. or Mexico? Was the driver of the big rig an illegal?
    Cynical…definitely. True…probable. This is the PRK, Peoples Republik of Kalifornia.

    Report Post » Moe1138  
  • sandy21957
    Posted on January 14, 2012 at 10:39am

    Local news reports state that the truck driver lost control and swerved into the BMW.

    Report Post » sandy21957  
  • theothertoolbox
    Posted on January 14, 2012 at 10:29am

    You know what stood out…the fact that there were no Affirmative Action hires helping with the rescue. When they make a TV movie or show about this…it will all be minorities that play the rescuers. I did notice one woman though…she seemed to be holding her own.

    Report Post » theothertoolbox  
  • vnachi77
    Posted on January 14, 2012 at 10:26am

    Lord, just when you thought that you could not find any more respect and admiration in your heart for the military and first responders. Good on all of you and God bless you in all your future endeavors.

    Report Post » vnachi77  
  • zman173rd
    Posted on January 14, 2012 at 10:00am

    thanks for the military and their quick thinking and repsonse. The firefighters too. What actually caused the accident? I saw a close up shot on tv of the woman. terrified. Firefighters were ALL OVER that wreck trying to get them free.

    Report Post » zman173rd  
  • texasoysterman
    Posted on January 14, 2012 at 9:59am

    Hats off for the SeaBee’s!

    Can Do!

    Report Post » texasoysterman  
  • ThePostman
    Posted on January 14, 2012 at 9:50am

    There’s little doubt the beemer driver caused this accident, resulting in the death of a 48 year old truck driver. Let’s hope the responsible party, whoever it turns out to be, is held accountable.

    Report Post »  
    • ThePostman
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 9:59am

      There are some tell-tale signs about this accident that suggest it was the beemer driver’s fault (or a third party): The car’s damage indicates it was travelling at more than 80 MPH when it first hit the barrier. This would have been AFTER skidding an unknown distance on the dry road surface. The back of the car shows contact with another vehicle, and it is unlikely that this car was rear-ended if it was travelling at such high speed – more than likely, it skidded, spun, and hit someone while travelling backwards. The 18 wheeler was not loaded, it was empty. This is apparent not just from the photographs but also from the fact that a little beemer was able to impart enough momentum to push it off the road and through the barrier. Typically what happens in this type of accident is that the car is travelling at a high rate of speed, changes lanes in front of the truck driver, slams on the brakes, gets rear-ended by the truck, and they both careen off wildly, unless the truck is loaded, in which case the car is smacked out of the way. Also, most of the time, the truck driver swerves to try and miss the car, and he encouters a loss of control after hitting them anyway.

      Just sayin. Truck drivers are some of the best drivers around, even the mexican ones, at least compared to car drivers.

      This type of accident is not really an accident at all, and we have all seen people driving dangerously and said to ourselves “they are going to kill someone”.

      Report Post »  
    • Servant Of YHVH
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 10:22am

      While there is a good chance that it could be the beamers fault, it doesn’t show it conclusively. It‘s a good thing that you’re an expert at reading this when there isn’t a trained police officer alive that could tell for sure exactly how happened by reading and looking at this story. I’ll bet that you must be making millions of dollars from all the law enforcement organizations around the world. They must call you to look at pictures and then you can call them back and give them the entire facts about how it happened whenever they cannot solve it at the scene. BTW: just asking, are you a fiction writer?

      Report Post » Servant Of YHVH  
    • Servant Of YHVH
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 10:25am

      Also perhaps you should have watched the video since apparently witnesses were saying that the truck lost control.

      Report Post » Servant Of YHVH  
    • I-Pay-Taxes
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 10:40am

      “The CHP said Allison’s northbound gravel truck struck the rear of the sedan, which was in the fast lane. The empty truck then plunged off the road into Nojoqui Creek, where it burst into flames. The BMW was forced into the bridge’s concrete guard rail.”

      “The two-vehicle crash occurred at about 2:40 p.m. when the big-rig driver struck the BMW from behind on the northbound 101 near Santa Rosa Road and forced the BMW into the bridge railing, the CHP said.”

      “According the California Highway Patrol, the northbound gravel truck, traveling in the fast lane, struck the BMW from behind and then careened off a bridge and into the creek adjacent to the freeway, where it burst into flames, killing the truck driver.”The BMW was then forced into the center concrete wall where the three parties in the BMW became trapped in the vehicle.” said Officer Danny Maher, California Highway Patrol.”

      All reports seem to disagree with you????

      Report Post »  
    • ThePostman
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 11:08am

      Perhaps some of you are illiterate, I said: “Typically what happens in this type of accident is that the car is travelling at a high rate of speed, changes lanes in front of the truck driver, slams on the brakes, gets rear-ended by the truck, and they both careen off wildly, unless the truck is loaded, in which case the car is smacked out of the way. Also, most of the time, the truck driver swerves to try and miss the car, and he encouters a loss of control after hitting them anyway.”

      How does that disagree with the more detailed police reports and witnesses? And I never stated conclusively what happened, I merely observed what TYPICALLY happens in this type of accident.

      Report Post »  
    • I-Pay-Taxes
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 11:19am

      Postman-Your Words: “There’s little doubt the beemer driver caused this accident, resulting in the death of a 48 year old truck driver. Let’s hope the responsible party, whoever it turns out to be, is held accountable.”

      According to all CHP reports, it looks like the “responsible party” was held accountable.

      Report Post »  
    • ronljl
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 3:08pm

      PostMan, well said! When you’re trained to handle up to 80,000 lbs and doing so “correctly” the chances of an accident lay squarely on the car. But as you stated, if the truck was empty, that really cuts down on how well the ‘gig’ handles. At this point it‘s all ’speculation!’ Hopefully the media with report the “facts,” and the professionals reports (ie. police, traffic investigators – not a reporters).

      Report Post »  
    • orcuttpepa
      Posted on January 15, 2012 at 11:53am

      I travel this road (HWY 101) every day to and from work. Just a couple of points to consider:
      Vandenberg Air Force Base is a few miles down the road, It is not uncommon to see military personnel with all types of equipment on this road.
      This particular section of 101 winds thru some of the hills and is hard to maneuver at high speeds. even at 65, your car is stressing to stay in the lane. Where this accident happened is in a turn. As I traveled it last night, I counted less than 4 seconds from when you come around the turn and can see the damage to when you are passing it. Not enough time to stop or slow down if something is going on. The truck was from R&R Wrecking in Arroyo Grande, a town 45 miles north of the scene. Both vehicles were driven by American Citizens.
      The mother and two children are doing extremely well.

      Report Post »  
  • TWO BITS
    Posted on January 14, 2012 at 9:39am

    Talk about being in the “right place at the right time.” This family was rescued by some valiant, quick-thinking teams of heroes. Good job, to all involved!

    Report Post » TWO BITS  
  • momrules
    Posted on January 14, 2012 at 9:36am

    God was surely with Mom and her children that day. How scarey but then here come the fire department AND the Seabees to the rescue.

    Prayers for the family of the truck driver.

    Report Post »  
  • subdoc
    Posted on January 14, 2012 at 9:14am

    Glad all is OK with mom/daughter. Firemen/SEABEES did a great job. FF will retire with 100K/yr pension+ great healthcare, SEABEE with 25 to 30K/yr and crappy VA healthcare, how ironic.

    Report Post »  
    • quicker
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 9:23am

      The men and woman in our military are the best of the best and just like that song of Toby Kieths Amerin Soldier .They just do it anyway.

      Report Post » quicker  
    • little big man
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 9:25am

      This warms my heart to see fellow seabees doing what needed to be done. our motto
      “Seabees Can Do”

      Report Post » little big man  
    • quicker
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 9:26am

      Sorry coffee not kickin in yet .Ment American Soldier.

      Report Post » quicker  
    • quicker
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 9:27am

      Ment American Soldier.Sorry.

      Report Post » quicker  
    • Charles
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 9:33am

      Any veteran who can manage to have healthcare outside of the VA system does so. The VA is the worst.

      Report Post »  
    • Baddoggy
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 9:35am

      yes…i dont understand why all firefighters arent Volunteers instead of paid employees. In my rural town we have a boatload of things to catch fire and we cover it all with Volunteers. No one is paid to sit around and wait on a fire to break out or a car to run off of a bridge.

      Really, i cant even see it in big cities either. Mnay men would Volunteer if they had the chance, but some lard ass UNION worker sits in an office and never even gets out to fight a fire. They do administrative work and burn Taxpayeers money. It’s dumb…We could fit almost every single town with Volunteers, except for Government regulations and red tape of course….

      When the SHTF and no one from the Government will be paid, we will see the true heroes that stand up to do jobs like this without pay. I am sure a lot of them will be ex Military like myself.

      Report Post » Baddoggy  
    • Mettag
      Posted on January 16, 2012 at 1:28am

      Wow! My grandpa, dad, and brother are firefighters. I didn’t realize the did or will be able to retire with a 100k a yrs pension. I must be in the wrong line of work. You are an idiot, I am also a firefighter, volunteer, on a Deptartment that serves 12,000 residents and made over 800 runs lasts year. We are 100% volunteer, we take great pride in that but next yr we will probably be bad becuase the amount of time is to great for just a volunteer. To much time needed for runs and training to not be paid. Why dot you go join a volunteer Deptartment and actualy see what it like to be sitting a burnin building trying to find a missing kid knowing if something goes wrong you life may end and your aren’t being paid.

      Report Post »  
  • Baddoggy
    Posted on January 14, 2012 at 9:13am

    I am glad they are OK…The sad part of fire and rescue such as this is that I witnesses about as many firefighters rescue a kitten out of a swere drain once…And they tore up the street on top of that. How stupid.

    Report Post » Baddoggy  
    • Dustoff
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 10:39am

      yes…i dont understand why all firefighters arent Volunteers instead of paid
      ***************************************************

      Simple. It’s hard to find that many volunteers 7/24-365 days. I have nothing against volunteers as a paid FF and have trained many of them. But let’s face it. Even volunteers have lives too.

      Yes (small town) do have them, but in big cities it just doesn’t work.

      Report Post » Dustoff  
    • texasfireguy
      Posted on January 14, 2012 at 6:13pm

      I dont think they tore up the rroad. It looks like the wreck might have taken care of that. And as for complaining about how many guys are there, If they showed up with not enough, you would criticize them for that to. People like you will complain about anything, another self appointed critic and expert who doesnt have the slightest clue about what you are talking about.

      Report Post » texasfireguy  
  • quicker
    Posted on January 14, 2012 at 9:07am

    Thank God this woman and her childern are all right .Man you got to watch out for them blind spots and remember if you can`t see the truck driver in his mirror he can`t see you.Sad for the truck driver though.Most truck drivers are pretty good man.I remember while going home on the weekend and not enough money for a bus ticket I`d wear my uniform and truckers would always give me a lift.And in most cases would radio ahead to some other trucker and relay me home.

    Report Post » quicker  
  • ares338
    Posted on January 14, 2012 at 8:48am

    However……if that pension payment hadn’t been met….over you go!

    Report Post » ares338  
  • john9664
    Posted on January 14, 2012 at 8:47am

    Semper Fidelis!!

    Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on January 14, 2012 at 8:43am

    Nice to have the fighting Seabees around when you need them.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
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