The body of the trucker who died when his bobtail crashed and fell of the Delaware Memorial Bridge late last week was recovered Saturday morning, July 12.
According to a statement from the Delaware River and Bay Authority, which oversees the bridge, the driver's body was found inside the truck located in about 20 feet of water.
A statement from the authority said, "Emergency recovery resources and personnel ... coordinated efforts to successfully recover both the bobtail tractor and a deceased male occupant from the Delaware River at approximately 11:10 a.m. Delaware State Police Marine dive unit and Holloway Terrace Fire Company were instrumental in this morning’s successful recovery operation. Emergency personnel used a Hurst (hydraulic) tool to extricate the body from the cab and Delaware Medical Examiner has taken possession of the remains."
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The truck was removed from the river using a crane and barge from a nearby construction site, officials said.
The authority also said the investigation of this accident, including the identification of the victim, cause of the accident, ownership of the truck, and other accident-related details, is ongoing.
The bobtail truck crossed three lanes of southbound traffic, crashed into a cement wall on the bridge and fell into the Delaware River below. The incident occurred at about 3:40 a.m. Friday, July 11.
No other vehicles were involved.
The 440-foot tall toll bridge carries about 100,000 vehicles a day on eight lanes of Interstate 295 and U.S. 40 over the river. It connects New Jersey and Delaware.
