Terrifying moment motorcycle hauling a trailer dangles off the gap of a Florida drawbridge after rider bypasses traffic arm and crashes

Terrifying moment motorcycle hauling a trailer dangles off the gap of a Florida drawbridge after rider bypasses traffic arm and crashes



A Georgia man had to launch himself off his motorcycle at the last second before it nearly sailed off the edge of an opening drawbridge in Florida, with the vehicle ultimately hanging on by just the hitch of the trailer he was pulling.

The man was driving across the Main Street Bridge in Daytona Beach, Florida, around 10am on Saturday - a terrifying incident that was caught on a local traffic camera.




The driver - who was identified as Mark Allen Hagen, 50, of Metter, Georgia, by the Daytona Beach News-Journal - reportedly crashed into one of the traffic arms as it was lowering to allow the bridge to rise and notify drivers to wait until it was safe, breaking it in half as he shot through onto the bridge.

He can seen in surveillance footage wobbling on his bike while crossing the slick lanes on a gloomy, rainy day. Hagen was heading east across the bridge, which connects Daytona's Surfside Historic District and Orange Island Park.

Seconds later he can be seen losing control of the bike and falling sideways just as bike nearly reaches the gap. He lands so hard his helmet flies off - but the motorcyclist was otherwise otherwise uninjured, police said.

In the video he can also be seen rolling onto his back just as the bridge locks into place at its highest point.

He was later transferred to Halifax Health Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. His bike took the brunt end of the impact, reportedly accumulating $5,000 in damages, according to the Daytona Beach Review News-Journal.

He was charged with careless driving, which carries a $166 fine.

The driver told police he didn't realize the bridge was closed as he was wiping rain from his helmet when he collided with the traffic arm. The Main Street Bridge often sees drivers disregarding signs for them to stop, with many motorcycles and SUVs jumping the bridge rather than waiting for boats to pass, the Orlando Weekly reported.

Daytona Beach Police later released images of the vehicle dangling, holding onto by a thin hitch attached to the small trailer he was hauling. The motorcycle faces straight down toward the water, the force of gravity from the steep incline holding the little trailer in place.




Police warned the public that the bridge would remain closed while they inspected the incident and it did not reopen until nearly 1 p.m.

'One of the traffic arms has to be replaced and a bridge inspection must be completed before it can reopen,' the Daytona Police wrote on their social media. It advised alternative bridges.

The man was reportedly in town for a motorcycle festival called Bike Week.

Not only did bikers flood the streets of Daytona this week, but spring breakers as well - including many who were caught underage drinking not far away on Daytona Beach.

Local reports showed groups being ticketed, including one unidentified woman who was seen with handcuffs tied behind her back after she was busted for boozing under the age of 21.

She was also snapped grimacing before being led away, with deputies also targeting other underage drinkers on the beach.

Another man looked thoroughly annoyed as cops poured away what appeared to be a bottle of Courvoisier brandy. Drinking alcohol is banned on Daytona Beach, unless it is at one of the licensed bars that line its sands

Other revelers were seen having a much better time, as they were soaking up the sun while day-drinking, shot-gunning beers and drinking from beer bongs while dressed in bikinis and bathing suits.

Cops warned many beachgoers that local rules must be followed.

Those include: no tents, coolers, or any other folding furniture that can go into the sand. Live and amplified music is also not allowed while underage drinking, as well as public intoxication on the beach and sidewalks will be prohibited.

Electric or motorized scooters are also banned from being used until further notice.

Police departments in the Sunshine State are facing a particularly busy time period as the Tampa Bay Times estimates that 570,000 students will be going on holiday on Florida's beaches this month and in April. Last year, there was a dismal 1,500 people a day flying to Florida and 2021 saw a crowd of about 65,000 Spring Breakers.

The most hectic period of Spring Break is expected to be between March 5 and March 20.