An oversize box truck became stuck beneath a Central Park overpass Friday afternoon, when the driver tried to cross the 65th Street Transverse heading westbound — leaving the Upper East Side — and colliding with the low bridge at Center Drive.
It was 12:49 pm when the first call for help came in, according to FDNY officials, who also tell Upper East Site that firefighters were able to remove the stuck box truck — apparently by letting the air out of the truck’s tires, lowering it enough to move it from under the overpass.
ALSO READ | The Upper East Side is Among the Most Rat-Infested Neighborhoods in New York City
The NYPD closed the transverse to traffic as firefighters freed the truck, which sustained visible damage to its roof, seen in photos from our news partners at FreedomNews.tv. Crews were also seen evaluating the damage along the bottom of the stone overpass.
FDNY officials say they are coordinating with other agencies including the Department of Transportation and the NYPD, while the NYC Office of Emergency Management has been requested to the scene.
ALSO READ | Robber With Large Kitchen Knife Responsible for Stickups Inside UES Subway Station: NYPD
No injuries have been reported as a result of the collision.
The DOT tells Upper East Site crews have inspected the bridge and have found it to be structurally sound, with only minimal damage to wire mesh on the underside of the overpass.
The Transverse will remain closed to traffic until those repairs are finished.
For updates around the clock, follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook
I have a long, though not so recent connection to Central Park, and I don’t like seeing what idiots do in and around it. In this case, a truck driver – who should have known how tall his truck is, ignoring the very clear and obvious signs. I don’t recall whether the entrance to that transverse road has a height warning, but the bridge itself does, as is obvious. Wonder if he or she actually has a CDL.