FEC: No charges filed against woman stuck on bridge

Wanda McGowan uninjured in incident

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – No charges will be filed against a woman who hung from an upright railroad bridge after she participated in a breast cancer walk, according to the Florida East Coast Railway (FEC).

On Oct. 12, Wanda McGowan of Dania Beach, was crossing the bridge above the New River when it began opening. A neighbor said she likely couldn't read the "No Trespassing" signs.

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McGowan, 55, was hanging about 22 feet above the tracks when Fort Lauderdale Firefighter Michael Hughes used a ladder to rescue her. Witnesses said it took about 20 minutes for crews to safely bring her down.

A spokesman for FEC said the bridge remains upright unless a train is coming, and only lowers two minutes before and after a train passes through.

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