Semi driver safe after rig sinks in Minnesota pond

[January 07, 2012]  MONTICELLO, Minn. (AP) -- A semi driver crawled to safety after his rig ran off a Minnesota interstate and sunk into an ice-covered pond.

The Minnesota State Patrol says the driver was treated and released from the hospital after the Friday crash.

Patrol Lt. Eric Roeske says the driver was pulling a Target trailer when his rig left the interstate, crossed over oncoming traffic and skidded onto the pond. It fell through about 6 inches of ice.

Roeske says the semi skidded 100 to 200 yards across the ice before breaking through. A photo from the State Patrol showed about half the trailer above the icy water.

A big-rig tow truck pulled the semi out of the pond hours later.

[Associated Press]

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