MIAMI – A woman was injured Saturday morning when the Brickell Avenue Bridge began to rise while she was still crossing it, causing her to fall in a terrifying moment caught on camera.
The incident happened around 10:45 a.m. on the drawbridge that connects downtown Miami to Brickell.
Conor Walsh, a witness, described what happened as the bridge began to lift.
“She was trying to climb up the bridge,” Walsh said. “As she got halfway up, she was holding on to the side and then she just dropped.”
The Brickell Avenue Bridge, when fully horizontal, spans 90 feet. As it rose, the woman was seen struggling to stay on before eventually falling.
First responders swarmed the scene within minutes.
According to police, the bridge tender told officers that the woman had been “causing a scene” before the incident. Witnesses reported similar behavior.
“She was dancing and playing,” another witness said.
“Three police cars, the medic … it was pretty, pretty hectic," added Walsh.
The bridge tender told police that the woman was masturbating and another witness said that she appeared to be “under the influence of something” before the bridge began to rise.
While assisting the woman, one of the first responders was cut during the rescue and taken to the hospital for treatment, according to investigators.
“When the police came, it was a big struggle to hold her still and stop making it worse,” Walsh said.
Authorities said the woman was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Her age, identity or condition has not yet been released.
Miami police said the incident remains under investigation.
