18-Wheeler Plunges Over Mountain in North Carolina

MORGANTOWN, N.C. --

An 18-wheeler went airborne down a 200-foot mountain off Highway 181 north in Morgantown Thursday night.

It took nearly 40 firefighters, paramedics and emergency personnel workers more than four hours to free the driver from the wreckage. He had serious leg injuries.

Dr. Benjamin Abo was the acting medical director at the crash scene. He said the demolished cab of the truck ended upside down and underneath the trailer that was loaded with steel girders.

“It was eye-opening. It was a wonder how anyone would have survived,” said Abo.

Before the crash, the driver reported his brakes and weren't working and radioed for help. A nearby trucker heard him and spotted the crash scene.

WATCH:

18-Wheeler Plunges Over Mountain Driver Calls Rescuers 'Heroes'

“We were talking with him, chit-chatting with him, trying to keep him awake and calm, keep him motivated to get through,” Abo said.

First, the truck was stabilized. Then tow trucks along with air bags were used to raise the wreckage off the cab to free the driver, Mike Chapman. He says those involved in the rescue were “heroes.”

Chapman was airlifted to Mission Memorial Hospital in Asheville but knows he’s lucky.

The crews cleaning up the mess say it could be Monday before it is completely cleared up.

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