‘We’re so lucky we’re alive’

Published 2:23 pm Monday, May 27, 2013

The gaping hole in the I-5 bridge over that Skagit River that was left for all to see made the good news that was to come rather stunning, and all the more welcome: Only two cars fell in, and all three people were saved.

It’s rare and wonderful to be able to experience such a happy outcome from what looked like a horrible tragedy. And like Capt. Sully Sullenberger’s famous landing on the Hudson River, the pilots of the two cars in this case acted bravely and admirably in the aftermath.

As The Herald’s Gale Fiege reported, Bryce Kenning, 20, was headed to his usual Thursday hockey game in Bellingham when the bridge vanished in front of him. Kenning’s Subaru Crosstrek flew nose-first into the bridge deck and slammed against a fallen truss, keeping the car from completely submerging in the river.

“I tried to open my door, but all I did was let water in up to my waist. I panicked and that’s when I thought I was a goner,” Kenning said. “In a last-ditch effort, I kicked open the passenger door, which wasn’t all the way in the water, and I was able to climb on top of the car.”

He did not “panic” in the sense of freaking out. Which would have been perfectly understandable. Instead, he used his adrenaline to kick the door open, climb on top his car, and smartly stay put after debating whether to try and swim to shore.

Once on top of his car, Kenning spotted Dan and Sally Sligh of Oak Harbor alive in their truck.

“The guy was bleeding, but he asked me if I was OK and he kept talking about his wife being in shock,” Kenning said.

In an interview with KOMO News, the couple, married for 20 years, said one minute they were traveling along, looking forward to a camping trip, and the next they were plunging toward the river.

Dan’s shoulder was dislocated on impact and Sally was knocked unconscious. She was scared when she came to, in part because she can’t swim. Dan, a Navy airman, popped his shoulder back into place, and instructed Sally to crawl over to him.

Soon after, all three were rescued.

Later, Kenning said: “I thought about how I was in the luckiest place in the middle of a bad scenario. I’m so glad no one died.”

Dan joked he can now cross “surviving a bridge collapse” off his bucket list. But added: “Life is precious.”

And Sally: “Love each other ‘cause you never know. In a second you’re gone — we are so lucky we are alive right now.”

We’re lucky to be able to celebrate with the survivors, who inspire us with their actions, resilience and words.