A shocking video has surfaced on social media, capturing the moment a woman was left dangling from the Brickell drawbridge in Miami, ultimately plummeting after failing to hold on at such a dangerous height. This harrowing scene was filmed by onlookers on the morning of Saturday, June 29. The woman sustained serious injuries.
The Terrifying Sequence: Captured on Video
Footage from various angles shows the woman, who attempted to cross the Brickell Avenue drawbridge, becoming trapped as the structure began to rise. In the video, she is seen at the top of the ascending span, desperately clinging to the metal railing as the bridge's angle steepens.
At one point, the woman loses her balance, slipping and violently falling down the metal ramp until she crashes onto the roadway. "I always thought something like this would happen: 'What would I do?' The woman held on for dear life," recounted eyewitness Robert Bruno to the Miami Herald. "Initially, not many people realized what had happened," Bruno added. "It was intense."
The Incident: Fall and Rescue
The accident occurred around 10:40 a.m., when the woman—whose identity remains undisclosed—attempted to cross the drawbridge just as it was beginning to open. She found herself trapped between the moving segments of the structure with no time to reach the other side.
Despite her efforts to hold on, she eventually fell to the street below. Witnesses immediately alerted 911, and Miami's emergency teams arrived within minutes. During the rescue, a police officer suffered a hand laceration from broken glass. Both he and the injured woman were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital, according to the Miami Police Department.
Witness Accounts: Confusion, Shock, and Aid
One of the closest witnesses, Connor Walsh, provided a heart-wrenching account to 7News. "She was on the ground, in shock, but sort of spinning. I tried to tell her to hold on, but she was in shock," he said, noting that both he and the rescuers attempted to stop the bleeding with an improvised tourniquet.
Walsh also mentioned that the woman didn't seem mentally well. Speculation has arisen regarding her actions just before the incident, with some witnesses claiming she was "dancing and playing" minutes prior, raising questions about her mental state.
Bridge Operation Controversy
The bridge operator, as captured by 7News cameras, stated that he did not see the woman on the platform when he began the ascent. Unconfirmed reports suggest some witnesses mentioned the woman had been "dancing and playing" shortly before the incident, sparking speculation about her mental state.
The incident has raised alarms about the safety of drawbridges in high pedestrian traffic areas like Brickell, one of Miami's busiest districts. Many are questioning whether there were lapses in operational protocols or if it was a tragic combination of recklessness and human error.
Federal regulations dictate specific opening times for such structures during peak hours, but proper supervision is crucial to prevent accidents like this. Local authorities have confirmed a thorough investigation is underway. For now, the health status of both the woman and the officer remains undisclosed, but recovery is hoped for.
Frequently Asked Questions about Miami Drawbridge Accident
What happened to the woman on the Brickell drawbridge?
The woman attempted to cross the drawbridge as it was opening, got trapped, and eventually fell to the road below, sustaining serious injuries.
How did the authorities respond to the incident?
Witnesses alerted 911, and emergency services arrived quickly. Both the injured woman and a police officer, who suffered a hand injury, were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital.
What are the safety concerns regarding the Brickell drawbridge?
The incident has raised concerns about the safety protocols and supervision of drawbridges in busy pedestrian areas like Brickell, especially regarding their operation during peak hours.