Semi Driver Rescued from Cab Dangling Over 70-Foot Drop on I-5

Oceanside fire crews pulled the driver to safety after the truck crashed and left the cab hanging over the San Luis Rey River.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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In Oceanside, California, a semi-truck crashed on Interstate 5 near Harbor Drive, leaving the cab dangling 70 feet above the San Luis Rey River. Oceanside fire crews responded and had to first stabilize the vehicle before pulling the driver to safety through the back window as the cab hung off the bridge in the rain. The driver was not injured, but the crash sheared two diesel fuel tanks, requiring a hazmat team for cleanup.

Why it matters

Dramatic rescue operations like this highlight the dangers that truck drivers can face on the roads, especially in inclement weather conditions. This incident also showcases the skill and bravery of first responders who put themselves at risk to save others in perilous situations.

The details

The crash was reported just after 5:05 a.m. on the northbound lanes of I-5 just south of Harbor Drive. Crews arrived to find the truck's cab dangling from the bridge over the river, with the vehicle on the left side of the northbound lanes, nearest the fast lane. In the dark and rain, crews first had to stabilize the vehicle so it wouldn't fall off the bridge, using rigging systems with ropes and cables. Firefighters then donned harnesses and removed the back window, allowing the driver to help in the effort to get him through the window and out of the cab. The crash also sheared two diesel fuel tanks on the truck, with one landing on the freeway and the other falling 70 feet to the riverbed below, requiring a hazmat team for the cleanup.

  • The crash was reported just after 5:05 a.m. on Wednesday, February 12, 2026.

The players

Oceanside Fire Department

The local fire department that responded to the crash and carried out the dramatic rescue operation to pull the driver to safety.

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What they’re saying

“They had to use rigging systems with ropes and cables to secure it.”

— Blake Dorse, Division Chief (Mercury News)

What’s next

Authorities will likely investigate the cause of the crash to determine if any safety improvements are needed on that stretch of Interstate 5.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks that truck drivers face on the roads and the critical role that first responders play in saving lives during emergencies. It highlights the importance of maintaining safe infrastructure and promoting driver safety measures to prevent such dangerous accidents from occurring.