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YOU READ IT HERE FIRST: Two young women survived with relatively minor back and neck injuries this morning after their SUV hit a snowbank and went airborne off the side of a Route 80 bridge in Hackensack, landing 40 feet from the river.
The Toyota Rav-4 was headed east on the highway when another vehicle cut them off around 7;10 a.m., Hackensack Police Director Michael Mordaga told CLIFFVIEW PILOT.
“As they swerved to get out of the way, they hit the snow embankment along the guard rail,” Mordaga said.
The snow, plowed against the guard rail after the recent storms, “acted as a kind of ramp,” he said.
“It basically sent their car airborne off the highway,” Mordaga said.
The car plummeted nearly 60 feet, landing in the Ever-Ready oil lot near the Hackensack River off South River Street.
Responding instantly, Hackensack firefighters removed both doors and the roof, talking with both victims through the process, Hackensack Fire Lt. Justin Derevyanik said.
Both were out in 20 minutes, he said.
An ambulance took them to Hackensack University Medical Center, where they were listed in fair condition this afternoon.
“Miraculously, they just have minor injuries,” Mordaga said.
Bergen County Police and the Oradell Fire Department dive teams were initially requested because of the nature of the call but were returned.
New Jersey State Police were investigating.
PHOTOS: Courtesy Hackensack Fire Lt. Justin Derevyanik
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