Concrete mixer truck retrieved from river

A concrete mixer truck that plunged into the Þjórsá river on Tuesday evening has been successfully recovered. The incident occurred when the vehicle went off a bridge near the Sultartangi power plant.

The driver, who was alone in the truck at the time, managed to exit the vehicle unaided and waited for rescue on the side of the truck that remained above the water. A large emergency response team was dispatched to the scene. The Icelandic Coast Guard's helicopter airlifted the driver to the hospital's accident and emergency department.

According to Ragnhildur Sverrisdóttir, a spokesperson for Landsvirkjun, the concrete mixer truck belonged to Steypustöðin and was not operating on behalf of Landsvirkjun when the accident happened. Landsvirkjun reduced the water flow from the Sultartangi reservoir, lowering the river's water level to facilitate the use of an excavator and a crane for the recovery operation. The truck was then pulled ashore on the riverbank where the slope was less steep.

The bridge over the Þjórsá river remains closed as construction work is still in progress.

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