1 Presumed Dead After Truck Crashes Through Bridge, Falls Into Delaware River

PENNSVILLE TOWNSHIP, NJ — One person is presumed dead after a tractor-trailer cab crashed through the side of the Delaware Memorial Bridge early Friday and fell into the water.

The Bobcat Tractor was located around 9:30 a.m. in 20 feet of water — nearly six hours after it struck the bridge's concrete barrier and fell into the Delaware River, said a spokesperson for the Delaware River & Bay Authority.

The semi-truck was traveling southbound into Delaware around 3:40 a.m. when it crossed three lanes of traffic, onto the concrete pad near the Delaware anchorage, and crashed into the concrete wall, officials said. The wall collapsed, and the vehicle careened into the Delaware River.

Officials have not determined the number of people in the vehicle or the identities of anyone involved as of this writing. But crews at the scene were focused on "the recovery of the occupant and the Bobtail Tractor" as of 2 p.m. Friday, said DRBA spokesperson James Salmon.

Dive teams and U.S. Coast Guardsman have been among the personnel involved in the extensive search since early Friday.

With the semi-truck 20 feet beneath the surface, engineering teams are trying to use a barge and crane to recover the vehicle and anyone inside.

The crash remains under investigation.

There are no longer any major traffic delays linked to the incident as of this writing.

The Delaware Memorial Bridge links Salem County, New Jersey, and northern Delaware.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.