GOODING COUNTY, Idaho — A section of eastbound Interstate 84 southeast of Bliss remains has reopened after a crash and rescue operation at the Malad Gorge.
Idaho State Police said Monday evening that emergency responders from Jerome, Gooding, and Twin Falls answered a call for help after a Ford F-150 pulling a 30-foot camper trailer pickup nearly fell into the gorge.
At about 2:42 p.m., an ISP trooper drove to the scene of the single-vehicle crash near Milepost 146 on I-84. The trooper arrived just as dispatchers were sending emergency units to the scene.
When the officer arrived, the pickup went over the edge of the bridge and was only held by a safety chain connected to a camper. A couple was inside the vehicle as it hung from the bridge.
Witnesses said the driver of the pickup lost control and swerved right, hitting the right shoulder of the interstate. That initial hit caused the truck to slide on the left guardrail and ultimately tip over the bridge. Only the safety chain attached between the truck and camper prevented the couple from falling into the gorge.
The officer was able to call to the occupants of the vehicle, a 67-year-old man and a 64-year-old woman both from Garden City. A Gooding County Sheriff's Deputy and the responding trooper were eventually able to get another set of chains and attach them to the pickup. This provided extra strength to hold the pickup in place until rescue crews arrived.
Once a full emergency team arrived, members of the Magic Valley Paramedics Special Operations Rescue Team (SORT) were able to reach the pickup and attach a harness to each victim, pulling them to safety.
The couple was taken to a Magic Valley hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Two small dogs were also in the vehicle and were brought to safety as well.
"This was a tremendous team effort that took a quick response and really showed the dedication and training of our community of first responders," said Capt. David Neth of the Idaho State Police District 4 in Jerome. "This is something we train and prepare for, but when it happens and people's lives literally hang in the balance, it takes everyone working together, and then some."
"I am just so proud of our team. It shows what all agencies including Magic Valley Paramedics Special Operations Rescue Team (SORT), Air St. Luke's and St. Luke's Magic Valley Paramedics can do working together," said Chad Smith, Field Supervisor for Magic Valley Paramedics SORT and Flight Paramedic for Air St. Luke's.
ISP described the emergency response as "heroic."
"ISP thanks all the fast responding, quick thinking local rescue agencies who responded to the call for help," the agency said in one of its Twitter posts.
That section of I-84 has since reopened.
Further details about the crash are not yet available. Check back for updates on this developing story.
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