Driver Survives 40ft Plunge from Unfinished Bridge After Following Google Maps

 

A 61-year-old man in Indonesia miraculously survived a dramatic plunge off an unfinished overpass after following confusing directions from Google Maps, leading to a terrifying fall captured on CCTV.

a dude in indonesia drove off an unfinished bridge and fell 20 feet.

his excuse? he was just trying to use google maps.pic.twitter.com/w05uGSve7L

— eBaum's World (@ebaumsworld) April 11, 2025

 

Rudie Heru Komandono was behind the wheel when his car veered past a concrete security barrier and sped off the edge of a half-built flyover in East Java on April 9. The vehicle dropped nearly 40 feet before crashing onto a busy three-lane highway below, narrowly avoiding oncoming traffic.

 

Surveillance footage shows the shocking moment the car sailed through the air and landed with a violent impact in the middle of the road, scattering debris as startled drivers nearby swerved to avoid a pile-up.

 

Komandono later explained to the press that he had been relying on Google Maps for navigation at the time. According to reports, the app had attempted to re-route him away from the unfinished bridge, but a series of rapidly changing directions left him disoriented.

“The road suddenly became dark and there were no other cars,” Komandono recalled. “Then I realised there was a problem when the car started falling and crashed on the ground.”

 

Astonishingly, both Komandono and his passenger, 47-year-old Endang Sri Wahyuni, escaped the wreck with only minor injuries. However, the experience has clearly shaken Wahyuni, who told reporters that she has no plans to ride in a car with Komandono again.

 

The incident has sparked renewed scrutiny of digital navigation apps and their reliability in rapidly developing or less clearly mapped areas, particularly in regions where construction zones may not be clearly marked. Despite the app reportedly trying to reroute the vehicle, the driver’s moment of confusion proved nearly fatal.

 

Local authorities are investigating the circumstances around the incident, and questions remain about whether clearer signage or physical barriers could have prevented the accident.

 

Meanwhile, Komandono is recovering from his injuries and likely reflecting on a night that could have ended very differently.

 

Based on a report by The Independent  2025-04-18

 

 

Ya gotta love Darwin at work lol 😂 his wisdom is timeless!

8 hours ago, Social Media said:

questions remain about whether ... physical barriers could have prevented the accident.

Who's asking this question??

8 hours ago, Social Media said:

Rudie Heru Komandono was behind the wheel when his car veered past a concrete security barrier and sped off the edge of a half-built flyover in East Java on April 9. The vehicle dropped nearly 40 feet before crashing onto a busy three-lane highway below, narrowly avoiding oncoming traffic.

 

15 minutes ago, LukKrueng said:

Who's asking this question??

Seems the question was answered but the reporter forgot about it haha... 

Sometimes short cuts come with issues.

It was a flyover.  

10 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

Driver Survives 40ft Plunge from Unfinished Bridge After Following Google Maps

 

A 61-year-old man in Indonesia miraculously survived a dramatic plunge off an unfinished overpass after following confusing directions from Google Maps, leading to a terrifying fall captured on CCTV.

a dude in indonesia drove off an unfinished bridge and fell 20 feet.

 

So was it 40 feet or 20 feet? Makes a difference. I would have thought 40 feet was survivable.

16 hours ago, Social Media said:

questions remain about whether clearer signage or physical barriers could have prevented the accident.

No

A google map "update" could have prevented the accident. 🤔😂🤣

I don't think Google Maps said "Veer past the concrete security barrier and increase speed at the half built flyover"