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# Woman survives 70-foot jump from K-18 bridge during multi-vehicle crash
- URL: https://www.citizenjournal.us/woman-survives-70-foot-jump-from-k-18-bridge-during-multi-vehicle-crash/
- Published: 2026-09-28T14:38:09.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-28T14:38:09.000Z
- Description: First responders complete complex high-angle rescue after pedestrian leaps to avoid swerving vehicle
- Author: Greg Loving
- Tags: Manhattan, dnn, #news

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A woman is in critical condition after jumping 70 feet off a Highway K-18 bridge Friday night to avoid being struck during a four-vehicle crash near Ogden. First responders used high-angle equipment to pull her from the area below the overpass before transporting her to a Topeka hospital for advanced care.

The incident began around 8:44 p.m. near the East Riley Avenue offramp. The woman, who had been standing on the highway's shoulder, leaped from the bridge when a vehicle swerved to avoid debris and crashing cars in the roadway. No other injuries were reported in the collision.

Riley County Emergency Medical Services and Riley County Fire District 1 initiated the search and provided initial medical aid, while the [Manhattan Fire Department](https://www.manhattanks.gov/3242/Fire-Department?ref=citizenjournal.us) executed the technical rescue. The patient was first taken to Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan before being transferred to Topeka.

Emergency responders closed K-18 for roughly three hours, reopening the highway around 11:35 p.m. A nearby Union Pacific Railroad line was also shut down for 40 minutes while crews searched for the woman.

"This was a complex and rapidly developing scene," said Cpl. Jonathan Shepard of the Riley County Police Department. "The coordinated effort allowed responders to safely manage the crash scene and complete the rescue."

*This article was written using our proprietary AI system, Cronkite. The final decision to publish this article was made by a human. For more info, read our* [*AI policy*](https://www.citizenjournal.us/ai-policy/)*.*

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