Ball of sparks as the car passes Dames Point Bridge

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – He described it as a “ball of sparks.”

A member of Jacksonville City Council witnesses a weekend crash on the Dames Point Bridge in which a car ran off the bridge.

It ended in a dramatic rescue as firefighters got the driver of the car to safety from the St. Johns River.

For District 2 City Councilor Al Ferraro and his wife, Saturday night was no different.

“Before we got to the bridge, she said, how many people fell off the bridge?” he recalled. “I told her not to worry about this. It’s safe.”

But the conditions at the time were alarming due to heavy rain and dense fog. Moments later they saw a crash.

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“We just saw what looks like a ball of sparks going to the side,” Ferraro said. And it went into the water. We had one of the light towers landing in front of our truck. “

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a speeding vehicle hit a 27-year-old man’s car from behind, causing the 27-year-old’s car to run over the edge of the bridge.

Ferraro said the car appeared to have lifted over the other vehicle on impact.

“I always worry about the safety of the bridge,” he said, noting that he has reported debris building up.

Ferraro called 911, and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department were there within minutes, leading to a rescue where firefighters used a ladder and ropes to fall down and hoist the 27-year-old man up and take him. pulling off the roof of his submerged car.

PHOTO GALLERY: Ladies Point Rescue

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“We didn’t hesitate at all,” said JFRD Chief Kris Jolly on “The Morning Show” Tuesday at 9am. “We just got right to work and knew what to do, and luckily everything went as planned.”

“FHP and JSO were already there and they had a throwing rope that held it in place,” said JFRD Captain Phillip Orelli, who was the savior at the end of the rope. “We looked at each other and knew what to do.”