Semi truck crashes over side of Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel

A semi truck crashed on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and went over the side and into the water on Thursday, officials said.

The crash happened at about 2 p.m. in the northbound lanes between Virginia Beach and the southernmost island, bridge spokesman Thomas Anderson told news outlets.

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Crews from the U.S. Coast Guard were searching for the driver, the agency said.

A man at a nearby beach told WAVY-TV he heard the truck crash into the water.

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“It fell off and there was a bunch of waves, a big splash,” Noah Butler said.

The Port of Virginia has set up a command post to continue search and rescue for a truck driver that fell off the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. I’m told divers will go into the water sometime this morning & the Coast Guard plans to pull out the truck. @WAVY_News https://t.co/PSSevIRcbM pic.twitter.com/omwon3UaWJ
— KaMaria Braye (@KamOnCam_) June 23, 2023

Search and rescue crews are circling the bay where the tractor-trailer fell off the bridge. @VBPD confirms a person jumped into the bay to help rescue the driver. The status of the driver and that person who jumped in is unknown. @WAVY_News pic.twitter.com/ORj3yfz97p
— Michelle Wolf (@MichelleWolfTV) June 22, 2023

Meanwhile, maintenance crews were working to repair a damaged guardrail and curb, bridge officials said.

The circumstances of the crash were being investigated. It was at least the sixth time in recent years that a large truck has crashed over the side of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, news outlets reported.