A dramatic scene unfolded Friday afternoon along Route 61 near the Appalachian National Scenic Trail bridge in Port Clinton Borough, Schuylkill County, after a woman fled the scene of a vehicle crash by jumping into the Schuylkill River.
According to the Pennsylvania State Police at Schuylkill Haven, the incident occurred on April 25, 2025, at approximately 3:01 p.m. Troopers from both the Schuylkill Haven and Hamburg barracks responded to a report of a crash involving a black 2019 Ram pickup truck that had collided with the concrete shoulder and became wedged between the shoulder and a barrier on the southbound side of the highway.
Bystanders reportedly helped the driver — a 27-year-old female from Tamaqua — out of the vehicle. However, once free, the woman leapt from the bridge and into the Schuylkill River in an apparent attempt to flee the scene.
Emergency responders from multiple local agencies quickly responded to locate and rescue the woman from the river. She was successfully recovered and transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest for evaluation and treatment.
State Police say a DUI investigation is underway, and charges are pending. Assisting at the scene were Auburn Fire Company, Deer Lake–West Brunswick Fire Company, New Ringgold Fire Company, Port Clinton Fire Company, Schuylkill Haven Fire Company Dive Team, Shoemakersville Fire Company Dive Team, Reading & Northern Railroad Police, and I-78 Truck Center.
In their last update, Troopers have not released the identity of the woman and they say the investigation remains ongoing.