“He saw the bridge collapse as he reached it”: in Chamborigaud in the Cévennes, the astonishment after the collapse of the bridge which took away a truck
Le conducteur a été extrait du camion par les secours. Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE
Ce lundi 18 mars, vers 16 h 15 le pont de la RD906 à la sortie de Chamborigaud vers Génolhac s’est effondré juste avant le passage d’un camion. Son chauffeur s’en est miraculeusement sorti.
The spectacular collapse occurred around 4:15 p.m. this Monday, March 18. The deafening noise alarms local residents. This bridge spanning the Luech at the exit of Chamborigaud is well known because it is extremely busy on the RD906 which links Alès and Lozère, passing through Génolhac or Concoules.
Truck driver survives fall
However, at the same time as the collapse of the bridge took two of its arches, a sweeper type truck passed by on its way to Génolhac. On board, his driver, aged around forty, saw the bridge collapse as he arrived on it< /em>, says his employer, who quickly came to the scene alongside the emergency services. "He slammed, he braked… But by the time he brakes… hellip; This did not prevent his fall."
The vehicle found itself embedded in the rubble, head first in the middle of the river. The driver found himself stuck there, but conscious and only slightly injured according to initial findings on site. "The truck had the steering wheel on the left, continues his employer. If he were on the right, he would probably be dead by now."
Taken care of, the man is airlifted by a Samu helicopter for hospitalization and examinations under the eyes of many residents and curious people.
The collapse of the bridge affected two of its arches. Midi Free – ALEXIS BETHUNE
The bridge links Chamborigaud and Génolhac, on the RD 906 Midi Free – ALEXIS BETHUNE
The collapse gave way to a hole about twenty meters long. Midi Free – ALEXIS BETHUNE
On site, elected officials and residents observed the damage. Midi Free – ALEXIS BETHUNE
The man was treated and had only minor injuries. Midi Free – ALEXIS BETHUNE
A Samu helicopter was deployed to treat the injured man. Midi Free – ALEXIS BETHUNE
A huge hole and questions
"This will considerably change the life of the village", repeats several times Émile Corbier, mayor of Chamborigaud, disappointed at the gaping hole cutting the main artery of his town. "The driver got out, that's what counts, puts departmental elected official Patrick Malavieille, also on the scene, who believes that the incident could have been even more serious. You realize if the bridge had collapsed when the school buses passed through ?"
The Department, which is responsible for this infrastructure, indicates that this bridge, whose last expertise dates back to 2022, did not present any urgent weaknesses. The institution promises that everything will be done for rapid reconstruction, even if Patrick Malavieille recognizes that this will certainly take a considerable time.
The direct link between Chamborigaud and the rest of the Hautes Cévennes is completely cut. Midi Free – ALEXIS BETHUNE
In the immediate future, a diversion for light vehicles is set up via Chambon, but that for heavy goods vehicles was not yet determined at the end of the day. "We'll also have to see about school buses", worries Émile Corbier. "Frankly, we are cursed with the bridges in the Cévennes", whispers Patrick Malavieille while observing the damage.
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