A woman was left critically injured Friday night after she jumped roughly 70 feet from a bridge on Highway K-18 near Ogden to escape being struck by a vehicle during a four-vehicle crash. Emergency crews spent the evening searching the area below the bridge before pulling her to safety with specialized rescue gear, temporarily shutting down both the highway and a nearby railroad line in the process.
Crash Near East Riley Avenue Off-Ramp Sparks Chaos
The pileup happened on Highway K-18 near the East Riley Avenue off-ramp at Ogden in Riley County, according to wibw.com. As the four-vehicle crash unfolded, a woman standing on the shoulder jumped from the bridge to avoid being struck by a vehicle that was reportedly swerving to avoid debris and other vehicles in the roadway, per the outlet's report. She fell about 70 feet and sustained major injuries in the process, as reported by JC Post.
What followed was a coordinated search-and-rescue effort involving multiple agencies. Riley County Emergency Medical Services and Riley County Fire District #1 searched for the woman below the bridge, while the Manhattan Fire Department brought in high-angle rescue equipment to lift her from the area, the station's report notes. The Kansas Highway Patrol and the Kansas Department of Transportation also responded to the scene, though the evidence does not detail their specific roles in the operation.
Highway and Rail Line Shut Down During Search
Once she was recovered, the woman was taken to Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan and later flown by helicopter to Topeka for additional treatment, the same account states. She was reported to be in critical condition at the time she was transported, and no update on her condition has since been verified. Her name has not been released by authorities.
The scope of the crash forced a temporary shutdown of K-18 between Scenic Drive and Riley Avenue, which reopened around 11:35 p.m. Friday. The Union Pacific Railroad line running through the area was also closed, from roughly 9:20 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, while crews searched for the woman below the bridge.
Officials Praise Multi-Agency Response
Riley County Police Department Corporal Jonathan Shepard said the coordinated effort allowed responders to safely manage the crash scene and complete the rescue. Manhattan Fire Department Battalion Chief Sam Dameron echoed that assessment, saying, “The quick thinking, teamwork, and professionalism shown by responders helped ensure the patient could be rescued and transported for further care.”
Riley County Fire District #1 Fire Chief Doug Russell said coordination and trust among agencies enabled a quick and effective rescue, according to JC Post. No other injuries from the crash have been confirmed, and the sequence of events leading up to the four-vehicle collision remains unclear.
