Teen gets stuck dangling from California's highest bridge while filming stunt

22 September 2023 , 11:36

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Rescuers worked to free the teen who was stuck dangling from California's highest bridge (Image: PlacerSheriff)

A teenager was left dangling over a river on a rope attached to one of the highest bridges in the USA after a stunt he was filming went wrong.

The 19-year-old was left swinging in the breeze 700 feet above the North Fork American River after he got stuck while filming the stunt with a friend. More than 20 first responders were called to the scene as the hapless teen dangled from the Foresthill Bridge, the highest span in California and fourth-highest in the US. The young man clung on for dear life as he swung between the massive girders of the road bridge in eastern California’s Sierra Nevada mountains.

His friend, who filmed the entire incident, called the emergency services after it became apparent the teen was stuck - the 17-year-old cameraman kept rolling even as first responders arrived to rescue his pal. Specialists were able to climb to where the 19-year-old had lowered himself – about 30 feet below the catwalk – and bring him back to safety on the bridge’s upper level.

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Foresthill Bridge is the fourth highest in the US (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Both teens were uninjured following the incident on Tuesday, local law enforcement said. It took the combined efforts of more than 20 first responders from Placer County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) as well as the local California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL Fire) to rescue the 19-year-old daredevil.

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A statement from the sheriff’s office said: “PCSO deputies arrived and a command post was set up for both agencies to coordinate incoming resources. [Rescue teams] made their way onto the catwalk under the bridge and located the subject. PCSO’s search and rescue mountain rescue team was called and multiple team members responded to assist.” The sheriff’s office praised the rescuers for their “exceptional job” in “saving this young man’s life”. It added that “trespassing on the Foresthill Bridge is still illegal”.

However neither teen was charged following the incident, Good Morning America reported and both of their identities have been kept unreleased by authorities. It is not known if their footage of the incident will appear online.

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