At approx 1:20pm today, calls to 000 stated a truck had hit the bridge over Punt Road near the intersection of Swan Street, Richmond. The caller complained of debris over the road and pieces of concrete left in the running lanes.
Upon arrival, crews quickly determined the extent of the damage and several northbound lanes of Punt Road were quickly closed to oncoming traffic.
Trains were stopped and redirected away from travelling over the bridge, causing significant delays to multiple lines traversing thru Richmond Railway Station.
The Toorak Times immediately dispatched our Lead photographer and chief crime reporter Lord Murray Schoorman of Peak Hour Images to scamble to the scene.
Upon his arrival, it was noticed that this was to be a protracted incident with a multi-agency response. Representatives from VicRoads, Metrail, Fire Rescue Victoria and Victoria Police coordinated their plan via a series of EMT meetings.
A low loader carrying two precast concrete tilt panels had become wedged under the bridge as the clearance required by the load was greater than the clearance of the bridge.
The trucks trailer tyres were deflated to drop the load by 100mm-150mm and then the truck was driven under the precise guidance and direction of Fire Rescue Victoria rescue crews until it was cleared of the bridge and handed over to the waiting heavy haulage towing appliance, just north of the bridge on Punt Road.
Videos of the operation in progress have been uploaded here:
Our news crews were on scene for this delicate operation. Took hours to develop and execute a safe plan to free this truck 🚚 #puntroad #richmond @FireRescueVic https://t.co/8Ho5tkKSt2 pic.twitter.com/QN8BcCc5zb
— Peak Hour Images (@PeakHourImages) December 19, 2023
