by AnnGardner Eubank
WHITE STONE— The Robert O. Norris Jr. Memorial Bridge was temporarily shut down around 8 a.m. Wednesday, November 17, after a driver passed out and drove his automobile into the Rappahannock River.
According to Lancaster County Sheriff Patrick McCranie, all necessary emergency personnel responded and ensured the safety of the driver who McCranie described as “appears to be safe.”
Cole Hodges with Sandy Point Marine Services assisted with the rescue with Albert Clark of Dominion Power.
“The driver passed out near the old toll booth on the White Stone side of the bridge, went off the road right before the guard rails start, jumped the rocks, and woke up in the water,” Hodges said.
Hodges and Clark rescued the driver as he was standing on top of his submerging vehicle and took him to shore.
The bridge briefly re-opened to allow traffic to move through but shut down again in order to retrieve the vehicle.
The accident is under investigation by the Virginia State Police.
