SPENCER, N.C. (WBTV) – First responders from Rowan and Davidson County worked on Sunday to deal with a multi-vehicle accident on the Yadkin River Bridge, and to remove a tractor-trailer that was hanging off the bridge over the river.
The bridge is located in Rowan County, north of Salisbury, and the truck’s trailer was hanging off the side of the bridge. Early reports were that there is an active fuel leak coming from the vehicle.
Multiple other vehicles were involved in the collision, although no injuries were initially reported.
The highway reopened just after 6:45 p.m., according to North Carolina Department of Transportation officials.
Bill Johnson from Roxboro was planning to celebrate his 74th birthday in Huntersville, but his battered Buick told a different story about how he spent Sunday afternoon.
“Coming down here with my blinkers on, it was raining pretty good, I was running 48-50 miles an hour, all of a sudden I felt a good boom and another boom and looked up the truck was back and forth and then it went airborne, he was flying when he come past me,” Johnson said. “I’m alright, my feelings is hurt, I’m 74 years old today and I think I’m about 80 today…it’s a way to celebrate a birthday isn’t it?”
Bill and his wife were okay. Several other cars were involved, including some in the northbound lanes involving onlookers.
Roads were backed up for miles as late as 4 p.m., with traffic extending through Rowan County and into Davidson County.