A concrete mixer truck plunged into Iceland’s Þjórsá river after leaving a bridge, sending the driver scrambling onto the roof of the cab to survive. Emergency services responded quickly, rescuing the driver from the stricken vehicle. The bridge at the accident site was subsequently closed to traffic while authorities assessed the structure and began recovery operations.
Key takeaways
- A concrete mixer truck fell into the Þjórsá river in southern Iceland after leaving a bridge.
- The driver survived by climbing onto the roof of the cab and was rescued by emergency services.
- The bridge was closed following the accident; travellers should check for updates before using the route.
- The driver was reported to have survived the incident; the severity of any injuries was not immediately confirmed.
- Recovery and structural assessment operations were underway at the scene.
What happened when the concrete mixer fell into Þjórsá river?
The concrete mixer truck left the road on a bridge crossing the Þjórsá — Iceland’s longest river, which runs through the South of the country before emptying into the sea near Selfoss — and plunged into the water below. The exact circumstances that caused the vehicle to leave the carriageway had not been officially confirmed at the time of reporting.
The truck landed in the river, and the force of the current and the partially submerged vehicle created an immediate danger for the driver inside. Rather than remaining in the cab, the driver climbed out and onto the roof, keeping above the waterline while awaiting rescue. The incident drew a rapid emergency response from Icelandic rescue teams.
The Þjórsá is a powerful glacial river fed largely by meltwater from the Hofsjökull and Tungnafellsjökull ice caps. It runs for approximately 230 kilometres and carries a substantial volume of cold, fast-moving water — conditions that make any vehicle accident in or near it extremely serious.
How was the truck driver rescued from the Þjórsá?
Emergency services reached the scene and extracted the driver from the roof of the submerged cab. Reports indicate the rescue operation was carried out successfully, with the driver brought to safety on dry land. Iceland’s volunteer search and rescue organisation, Landsbjörg (ICE-SAR), operates across the country and its regional teams are typically among the first responders to incidents of this kind in rural southern Iceland.
The driver’s decision to climb onto the roof rather than attempt to swim in the glacial river current was almost certainly the right call. The Þjórsá runs cold year-round, and immersion in glacial meltwater carries a serious risk of cold shock and incapacitation within minutes.
Was the driver injured in the Þjórsá river accident?
The driver survived the accident. However, the full extent of any injuries had not been officially confirmed at the time this article was published. Reports indicated the driver was alive and had been rescued, but readers should follow official Icelandic news sources for updates on the driver’s condition as this is a developing story.
Where exactly on the Þjórsá did the accident occur?
The accident took place on a bridge crossing the Þjórsá river in southern Iceland. The precise location — including which road or bridge number — had not been confirmed in detail across all reports at the time of publication. The Þjórsá is crossed by several road bridges in the south of the country, and authorities were on the scene managing traffic and beginning recovery.
Southern Iceland is heavily used by both domestic traffic and tourists travelling between Reykjavík and destinations along the South Coast, including Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, and Vík. Any bridge closure on a major river crossing in this region can significantly affect travel times and route planning.
Is the bridge over Þjórsá closed and for how long?
Yes. The bridge at the accident site was closed to traffic following the incident. Icelandic road authority Vegagerðin (the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration) is responsible for managing and inspecting road infrastructure of this kind. Following any incident where a heavy vehicle leaves a bridge, a structural inspection is standard procedure before the crossing can be reopened to traffic.
The duration of the closure had not been confirmed at the time of publication. Closures of this type can last from several hours to multiple days, depending on what structural engineers find during their assessment and how long recovery of the vehicle from the river takes.
If you are travelling in southern Iceland and your route crosses the Þjórsá, check current road conditions before setting out. The official source for live road status in Iceland is road.is, operated by Vegagerðin, which publishes real-time closures, delays, and road condition alerts in English.
What travellers and drivers should do right now
Drivers planning to travel through southern Iceland should check road.is before departure. If the affected bridge remains closed, Vegagerðin will typically signpost a diversion route, though in rural areas of southern Iceland alternative crossings of major glacial rivers can add considerable distance to a journey.
- Check road.is for live closure status before travelling south from Reykjavík.
- If a diversion is in place, allow extra time — alternative Þjórsá crossings can add 30 minutes or more to a journey.
- Follow Vegagerðin on social media for updates, or call the Icelandic road information line.
- Do not attempt to cross a closed bridge or barriers — structural safety following a heavy vehicle accident cannot be assumed.
This is a live and developing story. IcelandNow will update this article as further details become available from official sources.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Þjórsá river?
The Þjórsá is Iceland’s longest river, stretching approximately 230 kilometres through the country’s south before reaching the sea near Selfoss. It is fed primarily by glacial meltwater from the Hofsjökull ice cap in the central highlands. The river carries a powerful, cold current year-round and is a significant feature of Iceland’s southern landscape.
Is the bridge over the Þjórsá still closed after the accident?
The bridge was closed immediately after the concrete mixer truck accident. The duration of the closure depends on the findings of a structural inspection by Vegagerðin engineers and the progress of vehicle recovery from the river. Drivers should check real-time road status at road.is before travelling routes that cross the Þjórsá.
Was the concrete mixer driver hurt?
The driver survived the accident and was rescued from the roof of the submerged cab by emergency services. The full extent of any injuries had not been officially confirmed at the time of publication. Follow Icelandic news outlets for the latest updates on the driver’s condition.
How do Iceland’s rescue teams respond to river accidents?
Iceland relies heavily on its volunteer search and rescue organisation, Landsbjörg (ICE-SAR), which maintains regional teams across the country. In southern Iceland, these teams can reach accident sites in rural areas quickly and are trained for water, glacial, and vehicle rescue scenarios. Professional emergency services from nearby towns also respond in parallel.
Does a heavy truck falling from a bridge damage the bridge structure?
A heavy commercial vehicle leaving a bridge can place abnormal dynamic loads on the structure, and the impact may cause unseen damage to guardrails, deck surfaces, or supporting elements. Icelandic road authorities follow standard procedure by closing the bridge and ordering a full structural inspection before allowing traffic to resume. The outcome of that inspection determines how quickly the bridge reopens.
