Faith

Georgia Student Survives Four-Story ‘Leap of Faith’

In a scene right out of a Hollywood thriller, a young woman finds herself at the edge of a 40-foot bridge with a large truck hurtling toward her. She has two choices: be hit by the truck, or make the jump and hope she survives.

Bianca Vera decided to take the leap of faith when she found herself caught in blizzard conditions driving to her college in Atlanta when a van careened into her. She got out to inspect the damage only to discover another out-of-control headed toward her. To dodge the oncoming vehicle, the 22-year-old made a split-second decision and leaped from the bridge into the dark night and the icy waters of Lake Lanier below.

The impact reportedly broke her back, but she somehow managed to swim to the nearest shore, about 100 yards away.

“He clips the back of my car and I hit the side guard rail … and lost control of my car. I get out of my car to see what the damage had been, and when I was going back to the door… I see headlights,” Bianca recalled. “That’s when I realized that I had to get out of the way. There was a car next to him, it was icy, I knew he couldn’t stop. So it was either… gonna hit my car and then hit me or I was gonna jump and take my chances. So that’s what I did,” she told ABC News.

Georgia Student Survives Four Story Leap of Faith

The water was so cold, it numbed most of her body.  “I thought I was dead at that point,” she remembers.

“I remember swimming and I didn’t think I would make it. I remember being in the middle of the water and I could see the cars up there so I started yelling: ‘Help, please help me!’”

When no one responded to her cries, Bianca began to pray.  “It wasn’t until yesterday that I realized that the only person who needed to hear me was God. And he helped me and he was there, and he was the one who got me to the shore,” she said, remembering the pain of the fall which had broken her back.

The swim to shore took nearly an hour.

When she reached shore, she continued to yell for help.  That’s when rescuers who had responded to the scene heard her cries.

“I’ve never actually been a part of rescuing somebody that has jumped off a bridge. A lot of times those are body recoveries,” one firefighter told ABC News.

Bianca says the jumped saved her life — in more ways than one.

“I can’t take anything for granted, nothing at all. And I was obviously put here for a reason,” she said.  “God spared my life. I have a purpose and I just have to find it.”

Comments (44)

  • deadbeatjoe
    Posted on February 18, 2011 at 3:21pm

    Lucky girl. Usually after 50 feet, the distance is academic.

    Report Post » deadbeatjoe  
  • Bluefish49
    Posted on February 17, 2011 at 10:50am

    You deleted my comment for calling Ironmann an idiot….wtf?

    Report Post »  
  • Shempy
    Posted on February 17, 2011 at 10:25am

    This is an old story — the ice debacle of 2011 was a few weeks back — but, in this case, better late than never!
    I hope this young lady lives a long, prosperous, and worshipful life. She made a split second decision and leapt, as it turns out, into His arms. Praise the Lord.

    Report Post »  
    • dannyk
      Posted on February 18, 2011 at 10:55pm

      And that’s how it always is, when we have trust. Years ago I almost pulled out in front of a double long dump truck that ran a red light. I heard in my mind just as my light changed to green before I stepped on the gas pedal, “You’d better look left.” I hesitated and looked left, and pow! right in past me went the truck. I would have had just enough time to pull in front of him. I know it was God.

      Report Post »  
  • TEARS FOR AMERICA
    Posted on February 17, 2011 at 7:33am

    There are many of us out here that have had something like this-my life and death moment was in a car with a baby in the car seat and front seat (of course this was 1977) and I was driving on a thoroughfare and came upon a yielded street and a voice, clear as someone sitting next to me, said “That car is not going to stop!” At that moment I stomped the gas pedal and my baby son survived…miracle, yes, but I believe that voice was God Himself saving my child. No doubt.

    Report Post » TEARS FOR AMERICA  
  • Karron
    Posted on February 17, 2011 at 6:41am

    Dealer@678, or whatever you human name is, suck it up, some of us like happy endings. I know you probably haven’t had many in your pathetic life time, but it is a really nice feeling. Of course, you would have to come out from under whatever rock or basement you happen to be dealing out of to know happiness.

    Glad the girl is OK. The roads have been horrific all over the country and it is very scary out there for a lot of people. Especially those not used to snow and ice.

    Report Post » Karron  
  • DenzlerMedia
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 11:32pm

    I wouldn’t want to jump off that bridge in the daylight…forget about jumping in the dark…whew!

    Report Post »  
  • mrmikejohnson
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 10:33pm

    Television…is there anything you don’t know?

    Report Post »  
  • cliKKer
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 10:26pm

    Notice she credits god…. the report credits tv for saving her since she watched Man vs Wild….

    ummm how about divine providence. Do you get the odds that she could even get out of the way and off the bridge in the first place… survive the fall…. survive the cold water… make it to shore… have some one realize she was even down there in time to save her from hypothermia. Nope it was TV that saved her

    Report Post » cliKKer  
  • dealer@678
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 10:08pm

    OK, Enough of you blazers crap. Did you see the REPORTEDLY word lit up in red in the article above. This story is BS. and the mexican that told it full of it. Read before you write

     
    • RoguePatriot
      Posted on February 17, 2011 at 9:59am

      Ummm, yea it is lit up in red because it takes you to the article. It is called a link!

      Report Post » RoguePatriot  
  • dealer@678
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:54pm

    POSITIVEGEEZ, I know you hit your head on the concrete BUT do you think that the car you avoided was actually a white horse

    Report Post »  
  • dealer@678
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:35pm

    Rugdog, I SAID i jumped higher than that AND i did it in a Sants Clause suit and lived to tell about it. So there

    Report Post »  
  • positivegeez
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:30pm

    Hi I am so happy that you survived your ordeal Bianca! I know the feeling of thinking “it’s over, and you haven’t finished here yet”. I went through something similar this past Sunday morning on Rt 95 in Rhode Island, when trying to avoid another driver, I lost control and flipped several times, and the last thing I remember before blacking out is hitting my head on the road, and thinking “it’s over, and I am not ready”. I knew right then that God was the one that held the cards, and I was to stay here also, and find what my purpose is. God Bless you Bianca.

    Report Post » positivegeez  
  • dealer@678
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:30pm

    Man, You blazers like Metalist and Rugdog are sure sensitive. Take a valium and go to bed

    Report Post »  
  • RugDog
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:18pm

    Did God intervene? I say, YES! Some loser/poser posting earlier said he jumped that high from a bridge before. Big deal, do it fully dress into icy waters? No he didn’t.

    Report Post » RugDog  
  • Metalist
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:14pm

    Well the moon is full and the trolls are out in force. I wish you children would find somewhere else to play. The adults are here for news and human interest stories.

    I hope the girl makes a full recovery. So she can spread the story of how God helped her get to shore with a broken back.

    Report Post » Metalist  
    • Rice Water
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:59pm

      Yes, The Lord fulfilled His divine plan of breaking a young woman’s back! Praise be!

      Report Post » Rice Water  
    • 2AM
      Posted on February 17, 2011 at 12:21am

      Last week in Rogersville, Al a couple of commercial fishermen ended up in the Tennessee river when their boat capsized. They were both wearing life vests. One died from exposure in a matter of minutes.

      If she lasted an hour with a broken back, how can anyone discount God?

      Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:09pm

    Thank God she is safe and realatively whole; heck of a choice to have to make, death by a out of control truck heading your way, or a four story leap over the side to avoid the truck and go into the waters below…in a blizzard as well.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • grandmaof5
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:54pm

      SNOW, this is an amazing story and I am so happy for that young lady’s survival. What’s with so many trollish responses? Full moon? See you and SHOWTIME in the morning.

      Report Post »  
  • dealer@678
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:05pm

    Did she hold her nose before she hit the water. Thats what i wanna know

    Report Post »  
  • Mateytwo Barreett
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:05pm

    Comment rescinded to avoid appearance of nonPC thought process!

    Report Post » Mateytwo Barreett  
  • Whostolemypig
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:03pm

    They way Atlanta is depleting that lake, she is very fortunate that there was water to land in.

    Report Post »  
    • Disc_Coastie
      Posted on February 17, 2011 at 11:47am

      I live in the Metro Atlanta area and your comment shows that you are believing the spin by the media regarding Lake Lanier. You couldn’t be more wrong… The US Army Corp of Engineers maintains the lake levels. During the drought more water was lost from the lake by evaporation than was used by the City of Atlanta or surrounding communities…

      I believe that this young woman is smart, resourceful and lucky! Let’s focus on the important things…like Stopping the Obama Agenda!! D-C

      Report Post » Disc_Coastie  
  • dealer@678
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 8:50pm

    Except all my miracles happened at 10 floors up

    Report Post »  
  • dealer@678
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 8:48pm

    That happens to me a lot. I’m still here

    Report Post »  
  • DaWATCHER
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 8:36pm

    There is a God !!!!

    Report Post »  
  • The Third Archon
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 8:36pm

    Fluid dynamics are probably more of a causal factor, but okay.

    Report Post » The Third Archon  
    • gobluebuckeye
      Posted on February 17, 2011 at 7:15am

      go back to the huffington post. It is amazing this girl survived. She broke her back and was in cold water for more then an hour, that’s pretty impressive.

      Report Post » gobluebuckeye  
  • TruthTalker
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 8:35pm

    Wow!

    Report Post »  
    • Ironmaan
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:06pm

      Im not impressed. I’ve jumped from bridges that high into the river for fun.
      http://guerllatics.com

      Report Post »  
    • RoguePatriot
      Posted on February 17, 2011 at 9:55am

      Ironman, did you do it when the water was below 50 degrees? Then she swam back to shore with a broken back, but I guess you have done that with more than a broken back huh? You cool guy you!

      Report Post » RoguePatriot  
  • SPIRIT OF TRUTH
    Posted on February 16, 2011 at 8:34pm

    I always find it best to stop on the bridge.

    Report Post »  
    • Showtime
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:11pm

      She was driving. A van slid into her car. She hit the guard rail. Another vehicle was coming and couldn’t stop. She went over the side of the bridge.

      In Atlanta, they closed I-20 east and west side, I-75 north and south side. Probably I-85, too, north and south side, of Atlanta.

      But, good grief — that was a week ago or more.

      Report Post » Showtime  
    • HappyStretchedThin
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:29pm

      I always find it best to pray. On bridges or not on them.

      Report Post » HappyStretchedThin  
    • A Doctors Labor Is Not My Right
      Posted on February 16, 2011 at 9:59pm

      I‘m glad she’s ok.

      Report Post »  
    • Miguelito
      Posted on February 17, 2011 at 11:09am

      I think the main focus of this story was when she said, “I realized the only one that could save me was God.” We sometimes call out to God when we are in trouble, now is the time for belivers in this country to call out to God for guidence to save our Republic!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • Blacktooth
      Posted on February 17, 2011 at 2:16pm

      If I had the time, I would have jumped back into the car for a measure of safety against the impact, if I had the time. Glad she made it to shore. I wonder if there was ice on the surface of the water?

      Report Post » Blacktooth  
    • OutOfTheAether
      Posted on February 17, 2011 at 6:50pm

      Do you think there’s a metaphor in there somewhere for us as Americans? The surest direction for help.

      Report Post » OutOfTheAether  
    • OutOfTheAether
      Posted on February 17, 2011 at 6:56pm

      Couldn’t help having this pop into my mind while reading this. “For thus saith the Lord …Seek ye me, and ye shall live” Amos 5. Seems to apply, does it not?

      Report Post » OutOfTheAether  
    • vg0va3
      Posted on February 17, 2011 at 8:54pm

      I live where she jumped. That is a long jump.

      Report Post »  

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love