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A frightening video showed the moment that a car was caught on a drawbridge just as it was going up in Lantana, Florida, in late October.
The footage, just recently obtained by ABC affiliate station WPBF, showed the car stopped on the Ocean Avenue Bridge. A representative with Palm Beach County told the outlet the bridge tender was a county employee who has since been fired.
According to ZipRecruiter, bridge tenders are in charge of bridge operation and safety. They watch for oncoming traffic and communicate with boat and train captains to coordinate when the bridge can open for a boat or train to pass.
In the video, the car stops, and viewers can see a pedestrian gate close just off to the side of the video frame.
As the bridge rose, the car was pushed into a more vertical position. At one point, the driver opened the door and stuck his hand out before he braced himself as the back of the car dropped and the vehicle lurched forward onto solid ground.
The driver got out when the car was level with the ground and looked around for a moment. He then pulled his phone out to make a call as he inspected his car.
A boat can be seen passing under the bridge in the background as the man continued to walk around his car while on the phone.
Eventually, the bridge went back down and the man got into his car and drove away.
Newsweek reached out to Palm Beach County for comment.
Bridge tenders may be responsible for routine maintenance of bridge equipment, and most receive job training, per ZipRecruiter. Having an understanding of vehicle safety is also important.
"Career qualifications include a high school diploma or GED certificate," a piece about the career path on ZipRecruiter stated. "Most people in this career receive on-the-job training, but prior work experience with inspecting and repairing mechanical systems is often helpful."
In early February, a woman fell to her death as she reportedly tried to cross a drawbridge as it was going up.
Newsweek previously reported that the woman was walking her bicycle in the pedestrian lane of the Royal Park Bridge, which connects Palm Beach to West Palm Beach in Florida.
According to police, the victim grabbed the rail to try to hold on but eventually fell.
About the writer
Catherine Ferris is a Newsweek reporter based in New York. Her focus is reporting for the U.S. Trends Team. She ... Read more