Car vaults Bayway bridge guard rails

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - A woman whose car flipped over the guard rails on the Bayway Bridge Sunday afternoon was taken to USA Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. Alabama State Troopers have identified her as 37-year-old Melissa Morris of Fairhope.

Sgt. Joe Piggott with the Alabama Department of Public Safety said he received reports that a car went off the Bayway Bridge around 4 p.m.

“A vehicle was traveling west on the outside lane. Came across slower traffic taking an avoidance maneuver went over the side of the Bayway and into the water some distance below,” Piggott said.

Piggott says the accident happened between the westbound and eastbound lanes near the 30-mile marker.

There was no damage to the wall where the car left the bridge.

PHOTOS: Bayway bridge accident and rescue

The woman stood on her car as she waited to be taken out of the water. They gave her a lifejacket, just in case.

Rescuers hoisted her, as she groaned with pain from being moved, onto a boat which took her ashore. She was taken to USA Medical Center on a stretcher but her injuries aren't life-threatening.

“Anytime we see a crash where there is speed involved and they walk away from it, it’s a good day and someone is looking our for them,” Piggott said.

Passers-by saw some of her belongings and fragments from the car floating in the water. One woman thought she was fishing out a wallet; as it turns out, she retrieved a Bible.

“Being a Christian, I’m sure this means a lot to her family and means a lot to her, I’m sure. Maybe that’s why she is with us today,” said DeNecia Osborne.