Tractor-trailer plunges off Delaware Memorial Bridge; divers search for occupants

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12-07-2025

A search and rescue operation is underway after a semi-truck crashed and then plunged off the Delaware Memorial Bridge into the river below early July 11, officials said.
At around 3:40 a.m. local time on Friday, a bobtail tractor traveling over the bridge crossed three lanes of traffic and crashed into a concrete wall, the Delaware River & Bay Authority said in a press release.
The impact collapsed the wall, and the truck "careened into the Delaware River," DRBA said.
Shortly after 11 a.m., crews recovered the cab, which was located in about 20 feet of water, James Salmon, DRBA's director of communications and marketing told USA TODAY.
"Dive crews are currently assessing the safety of area where the cab is located to investigate further," Salmon wrote in a statement.
It's unclear how many occupants were inside the truck at the time of the crash. There were no additional details about occupants after the cab was recovered, Salmon said. No other vehicles were impacted.
The DRBA said the truck was traveling southbound into Delaware when the accident occurred on the downslope of the bridge.
Dive teams were on site for the search effort, DRBA said. They included units from local and state emergency responders as well as members of the U.S. Coast Guard Air and Marine Units, according to the agency.
The accident is under investigation, according to DRBA.
The Delaware Memorial Bridge, which spans more than 10,000 feet, crosses the Delaware River and links Delaware to New Jersey. More than 100,000 vehicles cross the bridge each day, according to DRBA.
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Some traffic lanes on the Delaware Memorial Bridge were temporarily closed during the morning commute and expected to cause "significant delays," DRBA said.
The left lane, where the accident occurred, was closed "for police activity," but traffic delays were cleared by 8:30 a.m. local time, DRBA said.
The right lane was also temporarily closed for construction, but reopened around 8 a.m. local time.
Live traffic cams from the DRBA showed no major traffic as of 9 a.m.
This story has been updated with additional information.
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at [e-mail].
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Delaware Memorial Bridge accident: Tractor-trailer plunges into water