YAUHANNAH -- The Yauhannah Bridge will be closed until at least Wednesday, after a semi plunged off the bridge into the marsh, killing the truck driver, 38-year-old Jack Manigault, Jr.
The accident happened just after 8 a.m. Monday.
A man who said he was on the phone with Manigault at the time of the crash says the two friends were talking as Manigault headed toward the Yauhannah Bridge on Highway 701 near the Horry-Georgetown county line.
The friend told us he heard the Manigault's scream, followed by a loud noise, and then silence.
Manigault and his semi had plunged 20 feet from the bridge to the marshland below.
We're told Manigault lived in Georgetown, but grew up in the South Santee community.
Horry County Fire Rescue workers spent most of the morning and early afternoon working to get the truck back on the highway to be towed away. Firefighters were raised and lowered to the wreck site as the work continued. Then environmental crews cleaned up the fuel and debris left behind.
Monday afternoon the South Carolina Department of Transportation issued an emergency order to repair the bridge, which is used by about 3,700 drivers a day.
South Carolina Highway Patrol has set up a detour route from US 701 in Horry County, onto S-26-24 (Pee Dee Highway) to US 378 to SC 41/SC 51 to SC 261 back to US 701.
Stay with NewsChannel 15 and CarolinaLive for developments.
