Video Shows Bay Bridge Crash Survivor Crawling Onto Shore

By D. Frank Smith

After plummeting nearly 50 feet from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge while trapped inside her car last Friday, the 22-year-old survivor escaped and swam to shore.

This YouTube video shows the first moments Morgan Lake landed on the shores near Sandy Point State Park. 

The video was posted by YouTube user Scott Fortney, who offered the following details about the incident:

"I was three cars behind her when her car was struck by the tractor trailer and flipped over the jersey wall. The car went under, appeared to be about 10'-15' of water depth, 30' foot drop from bridge. Morgan emerged and clung to rocks until water rescue took place," Fortney wrote.

Fortney called out to Lake, asking her if she was the only one in the car. Lake replies that she was alone. Others called out to her telling her that 911 was on the way, and that there had been a bad accident on the bridge.

Following the incident, AAA has called for a federal review of the safety of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

The Washington Post interviewed a survivalist who offered tips on how to best handle life-threatening situations, like being trapped underwater in a car.