Man survives back flip from Tennessee River bridge

Oct. 1, UPDATE 4 p.m.– A Savannah man miraculously survived a leap off the Tennessee River bridge at 9:30 a.m., managing to swim nearly to the east bank before being pulled in by rescue personnel.

Cynthia Scaff of Burnt Church said she was driving west across the bridge at the city limit when she saw an older model, rust-colored Chevy Blazer pull off on the shoulder.

The driver "got out and just back flipped into the water" from the north side of the bridge, she said. "He’s lucky."

Scaff said she immediately called 911.

Emergency workers were on the scene about two or three minutes later, but before a rescue boat from Crump (Dist. 2) could arrive the man, identified by authorities as Brian Bledsoe, of Roy Crunk Lane, had swum close to the bank near Cherry Mansion.

Hardin County Fire Chief Melvin Martin said the 35-year-old white male was complaining of back pain but did not appear paralyzed.

He was transported by ambulance to Hardin Medical Center.