Ohio man survives 25-foot drop from highway in camper crash.

July 9, 2019

Michigan State Police photo

Ohio man survives 25-foot drop from highway in camper crash.

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

SHELBY TOWNSHIP – A 52-year-old Wooster, Ohio man whose 2011 GMC Denali pickup truck plunged 20-25 feet from US 31 Monday, July 8, after the camper he was hauling became detached from it is expected to fully recover from his injuries.

Michigan State Police photo

The man was admitted to Mercy Health Partners Hackley Campus in Muskegon, said Michigan State Police Trooper Conner Crutchfield who is investigating the crash. He suffered a fractured vertebrae in his neck and a concussion but is expected to make a full recovery, Crutchfield said.

The man’s fifth wheel camper trailer overturned on southbound US 31 near Buchanan Road, causing the highway to temporarily shut down Monday shortly before noon after the busy Fourth of July weekend.

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The man was southbound on US 31 when he encountered a traffic backup due to workers putting up “Give ‘Em A Brake (for) Safety” signs in anticipation of road work on the highway slated to begin Tuesday, July 9.

Michigan State Police photo

A vehicle was stopped in the right lane, and the man passed the vehicle on the right shoulder; lost control; and rolled the camper. The truck and camper hit the side of the bridge at Buchanan Road when the camper and truck became detached, and the truck then plummeted off the highway onto Buchanan Road 20-25 feet below, Crutchfield said.

Fire department personnel used Jaws of Life equipment to remove the truck’s roof to extricate the man. Bruising on the man’s body is consistent with seat belt use, although he ended up in the rear passenger seat following the crash, the trooper said. Two dogs were also in the truck with him and were not harmed. The man remains hospitalized as of Tuesday, July 9.

The Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, Hart Police Department, Hart Area Fire Department, the Shelby-Benona Fire Department and Life EMS assisted at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation.

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