A suspension bridge unexpectedly tilts, sending a pickup truck and two motorbikes and passengers into the water in Dien Bien Province on July 22. Photo by TTXVN
A rare accident occurred on the morning of July 22 in northern Dien Bien Province when a pickup truck and two motorbikes fell into a river after a suspension bridge unexpectedly tilted, sending the vehicles and passengers into the water. All five people involved survived.
According to local authorities, the incident happened at around 8.15 am as a pickup truck carrying three people and towing two motorbikes was crossing the Pa Thom suspension bridge over the Nam Nua River in Thanh Yen Commune. Suddenly, the bridge tilted sharply, causing the driver to lose control. The two people on the motorbikes managed to jump off in time and sustained only minor injuries. The truck and the remaining three occupants plunged into the river.
Photo by TTXVN
Residents of Pa Xa Lao Village nearby quickly responded and rescued the victims. Thanks to their prompt action, all three people in the river were safely brought to shore with only soft-tissue injuries. The pickup truck was severely damaged.
Nguyen Ngoc Tuan, Chairman of the Thanh Yen Commune People’s Committee, said that upon receiving the report, local authorities mobilized emergency response forces including border guards, commune police, militia, and medical staff. They provided first aid, cordoned off the dangerous area, and reported the situation to higher authorities.
