Truck Hangs From Overpass After Drunken Crash

An Oregon man dangled several feet above a highway for nearly an hour after his truck crashed through an overpass guard rail.

Matthew Alan Hamilton was hospitalised on Saturday after firefighters plucked him from his pickup truck using a ladder with a basket.

The 38-year-old was arrested for driving under the influence after his release from hospital.

His blood alcohol content was 0.50, according to Beaverton Police spokesman Mike Rowe. Oregon's legal limit is 0.08.

The crash occurred on the Southwest Danny Road overpass above Highway 217 in Beaverton, near Portland.

Emergency crews secured the truck from falling with a fire engine, and used another to bring Hamilton to safety.

The highway was closed for nearly six hours in both directions until the stranded vehicle was removed with a large crane, according to Officer Rowe.