LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Members of the Louisville Fire Department were honored and thanked for their heroic actions during a March 1 rescue on the Second Street Bridge.
First responders came to the aid of a Sysco truck driver hanging precariously over the Ohio River after a multi-car accident on the bridge. Firefighters gathered Friday at the Fire Training Academy on West Hill Street to be recognized.
“What they did that day is something called a ‘pick off.’ They’ve done it on this tower right over here many times,” Louisville Fire Chief Brian O’Neill told reporters.
The pick off took place when first responders saved the driver of a truck who was facing almost certain death had the truck cab disconnected from the trailer.
Chief O’Neill said it took every responding firefighter working together to ultimately save the driver.
“Talk to all of them,” Chief O’Neill gesturing to first responders standing behind him. “Because it involved every single one of them, the men and woman that were on the ropes. The ones that were on the trucks. The ones who were in the boats,” Chief O’Neill said.
Sysco CEO Kevin Hourican traveled from Texas to Kentucky to meet and visit with the first responders. Hourican treated the department to a steak lunch and made a special announcement.
“We have the opportunity to present Mayor Greenberg and Chief O’Neill with a $20,000 check to go toward the annual fundraiser and gala that occurs every year,” Hourican said.
Firefighter Bryce Carden was the firefighter who repelled down to save the truck driver.
“Everyone sees the one face on the news and yeah, I was the guy who went over the rope, but without all the guys behind me and all the training we’ve put in over time, it doesn’t happen. I contribute all of our success to them,” Carden said.
Firefighter Carden says he has been able to personally speak with the driver of the truck since their first meeting on the Clark Memorial Bridge.
“She’s doing well. She’s spending time with her family and she wants to get back to being a driver,” Carden said.