A woman struck by a vehicle Wednesday evening on Mission Street bridge over Mill Creek was propelled over a concrete barrier about 30 feet into the water below. She was rescued by Salem police and a firefighter.

Salem police gave this account:

The incident occurred at about 6:35 p.m. Wednesday when 48-year old Janice Johnson was attempting to cross Mission Street from the north to the south at the bridge that crosses Mill Creek.

The area was dark with heavy traffic, and she was struck by an eastbound 2005 Ford van driven by 73-year old Barbara Witt of Salem.

Johnson, who was wearing dark clothing at the time, was thrown off the front of the van, completely over the concrete barrier next to the roadway and into the water below.

The incident was witnessed by passing motorists who immediately called 911.

Salem Police Officer Oscar Zambrano arrived on the scene and located Johnson, who had been swept northbound in the creek and under the roadway and had grabbed a branch as she emerged from under the north end of the bridge.

Officer Zambrano immediately jumped into the water and held onto Johnson so she would not be swept further downstream.

He was soon joined by Officer Juan Becerra,  Sgt. Andy Connolly and Salem firefighter/medic Amy Charbonneau, who assisted in pulling Johnson to the bank of the creek.

Salem firefighters then had to cut a path in the brush in order to get Johnson up to the awaiting ambulance for transport to Salem Hospital, where she was admitted with non-life threatening injuries.

No citations have been issued at this time.

The actions of officers Zambrano and Becerra, Connolly and Charbonneau likely saved Johnson from more severe injury, or even death in the cold water, according to Salem Police Lt. Dave Okada.

“Their willingness to jump into the cold, dark water to assist another person was a selfless act that displayed the professionalism and bravery of these public servants,” Okada said.