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WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — A serious incident occurred on Thursday evening when a vehicle veered off the Arlington Memorial Bridge and plunged into the Potomac River amidst snowy conditions, according to the DC Fire and EMS (DCFD).
Officials confirmed that the vehicle broke through the concrete barrier of the bridge, resulting in its submersion between Washington, D.C., and Virginia. At least two vehicles were involved in the collision.
Emergency personnel included divers who were dispatched to the scene promptly to locate the submerged vehicle and assist the driver.
As of the latest updates, one individual was successfully retrieved from the water shortly before 7:30 p.m. and was provided with advanced life support before being transported to the hospital, where they were reported to be in critical condition.
Two occupants from the other vehicle, which remained on the bridge, sustained minor injuries and were also taken to the hospital for evaluation.
The response team included personnel from the D.C. police and the U.S. Park Police, highlighting the coordinated effort among agencies during critical incidents.
During a press briefing, DCFD officials informed that divers took approximately 22 minutes to locate the submerged vehicle and bring the driver back to safety. Recovery efforts are set to continue, with crews scheduled to return on Friday morning to evaluate the accident scene and retrieve the vehicle from the river.
Authorities have closed the Arlington Memorial Bridge to vehicular traffic, and no timetable for its reopening has been provided yet.
Source
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