SANTA MONICA—Firefighters from the Santa Monica Fire Department were called to City Parking Structure #5 located at 1440 4th Street on Monday, June 11 at 10:30 a.m. for a report of a car hanging off the side of the fifth floor parking level.
Captain Patrick Nulty of the Santa Monica Fire Department indicated in a press release to Canyon News that fire resources arrived within 5 minutes and 47 seconds. They discovered a late model Honda Civic driven off of the parking platform and hanging over the edge; being held in place only by steel barrier cables. A bystander who witnessed the incident pulled the driver, a female in her 60s from the car. The driver indicated she accidently accelerated instead of pressing the brake pedal while trying to park.
Members of the Santa Monica Fire Department’s Urban Search & Rescue Team secured the car to prevent it from falling further, while officers from the Santa Monica Police Department evacuated the region and set up a safety perimeter. Firefighters requested 2 tow trucks from a local tow company to help in executing their plan to pull the vehicle from the edge and to safety. At 11:45 a.m., the incident was contained.
A total of 25 Firefighters responded with assistance from the SMPD and the Pacific Tow Company of Santa Monica. The driver was evaluated by paramedics. There were no reports of any injuries to the driver, bystanders, or first responders.
Written By Kelsey Thomas
