LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky leaders have officially recognized the Louisville firefighters who rescued a woman trapped in a semitruck cab as it dangled over the Ohio River last month.Â
The dramatic rescue on March 1 captured the entire country's attention. A total of 42 firefighters took part in the rescue, and the entire Louisville delegation honored them for their heroism.
During a ceremony on April 9, their names were read aloud, and they were personally thanked. State legislators also honored Louisville firefighters with a legislative citation, saying their daring rescue of driver Sydney Thomas was nothing short of miraculous.Â
Thomas was behind the wheel of a Sysco semitruck when a chain reaction crash caused by a speeding pickup truck sent her semi through the bridge barricade and support beams, leaving it dangling over the Ohio River. Firefighter Bryce Carden said he relied on his training as other firefighters used a rope to lower him down to the cab to bring Thomas back to safety.
Sydney Thomas with Louisville Fire & Rescue Firefighter Bryce Carden. (Image courtesy of family)Â
Although several people in other vehicles involved in the crash were injured, Thomas and her rescuers escaped serious physical injury -- although Thomas is still recovering from the mental trauma she endured during her 45 minutes trapped in the cab.Â
State Rep. Pamela Stevenson (D-Louisville), who attended Tuesday's ceremony at Louisville Fire headquarters in downtown Louisville, had high praise for Louisville's Fire and Rescue team.Â
"You are the leaders that this state counts on," Stevenson said. "You are the ones that make Kentucky what it is. And when everyone else -- after all was said and done, and everybody else went back to their dinner, everybody else went back to their families -- your adrenaline kicked in."Â
Last month, 33-year-old Trevor Branham of Jeffersonville was arraigned on four counts of wanton endangerment and one count of driving with a suspended license for his role in the crash.
The northbound lanes on the bridge carrying traffic from Indiana to Louisville are still closed while crews continue repairing the damage caused by the crash. The repairs are expected to be complete in time for Thunder Over Louisville.Â
Related Stories:Â
- Family of driver rescued from Second Street Bridge asking for community support
- Jeffersonville man charged in connection to crash that sent semitruck dangling off Second Street Bridge
- Louisville firefighter describes moment he pulled woman from semi dangling off 2nd Street Bridge
- Sysco gifts food, $20,000 to say thanks to Louisville Fire for rescuing their delivery driver
- Engineers assess damage on 2nd Street Bridge in Louisville after semitruck crash
- 'It's literally hanging off the bridge' | 911 calls released from semitruck crash on 2nd Street Bridge
- Rescue crews pull driver from semitruck hanging over Ohio River after collision on the 2nd Street Bridge
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