June 12, 2025

Trucker rescued from fiery cab after bridge crash and fall

Steve Smith

A truck driver was saved from a fire after his semi crashed on a rural bridge in Webster County, Iowa, on Monday, June 9th.

How it happened: The truck crossed the center line, hit a bridge, and went over the guardrail, landing partly in Holiday Creek. The cab quickly went up in flames.

Road foreman Dale Iles saw the wreck happen as he was driving by. He ran to the burning truck and found the driver, Clay Schmadeke, frozen from shock.
Iles told Schmadeke his cab was on fire and helped him climb out. Schmadeke was silent but managed to get out just in time.
The semi later tipped over into the creek as the fire kept burning. A passing trucker called 911.

What they’re saying: “You just jump into action when something like this happens... especially with fire. Well, there’s no time,” Iles recalled, according to KCCI.

Schmadeke was released from the hospital, but details about his injuries have not been shared. He credits Iles with saving his life.

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