SUV Crashes Through Railing on Seongsan Bridge... 40-Year-Old Driver Dies (Comprehensive)

Police "Driver's Alcohol Consumption Status Under Investigation"

Seongsan Bridge panorama. Photo by Seoul City

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] At around 12:28 PM on the 21st, a black Sorento vehicle broke through the railing on Seongsan Bridge in Seoul and fell into the river, resulting in the driver's death.

According to the police and fire authorities, the accident vehicle was driving from Seongsan Bridge toward Mapo-gu Office Station when it passed over a temporary bridge installed in the middle of the bridge for reinforcement work. The vehicle then veered onto the right sidewalk, broke through the railing, and plunged into the river.

Rescue authorities rescued a 40-year-old man, performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and transported him to a nearby hospital, but he ultimately died around 1:38 PM.

The authorities deployed about 30 firefighters and 20 police officers from the Seoul Yeongdeungpo Fire Station, Yeouido and Banpo Water Rescue Teams, and the Hangang Police Unit, along with 19 pieces of equipment, to carry out the rescue operation.

Initially, the authorities believed there was one more occupant in the vehicle and conducted a search, but it is now considered highly likely that only the deceased driver was in the car. They have begun vehicle recovery operations.

A police official stated, "The driver's alcohol consumption has not been confirmed."

The police plan to analyze on-site closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage to determine the exact cause of the accident.