Thursday evening, shortly after 6 p.m. at Würzburger Mainkai. On the wall next to the old crane, passers-by can enjoy the evening sun, on the old bridge over the Main the popular “Brückenschoppen” is served again. Then unrest spreads, cell phones are whipped out: a long-distance bus is stuck under the Old Main Bridge. The bus no longer occurs. And not back. How did it come about? Joshua Bleck, who works in the “Alte Mainmühle” restaurant on the bridge, has an explanation:
“I went down and smoked one. Then the bus driver came and whistled me and asked me if he could fit through there. I said to him: No, you can’t fit through. You’re too high. And he like that : yes, yes! And I should wave him in. Then I waved him in and heard it scratch. ” Joshua Bleck, employee “Alte Mainmühle” Würzburg
He then said to the bus driver that he shouldn’t continue driving, said Bleck. The driver then “somehow got into the bridge”.
Bus under Würzburg Main Bridge: deflating as a solution
The result of the action: The bus was stuck. Fire brigade and police had to move in, a towing company was informed. What to do? It is best to deflate, says Gerhard Möltner from the Würzburg fire department:
“Then the air was released from the wheels and then it would have been pulled out, but afterwards we could see that the bus is free from the air and can continue its journey itself.” Gerhard Möltner, fire department Würzburg
At around 9:00 p.m. the bus was maneuvered out of the bridge and the passage was free again. The passengers had already continued their trip to Frankfurt am Main with a replacement bus.
Navigation device specified the (wrong) route
It is not yet entirely clear why the bus driver chose the unsuitable route through the Alte Mainbrücke. Apparently the driver blindly trusted his navigation device, says Gerhard Möltner from the fire department. The civil engineering office will inspect the bridge for any damage on Friday.
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No replacement bus was there. The passengers were told to use the train.