Man who survived 43-metre fall from Ambassador Bridge is Canadian, works for Windsor-area company

The worker who fell from the Ambassador Bridge on Wednesday is Canadian and worksfor a Windsor, Ont.-area company, officials haveconfirmed.

An official with Detroit Receiving Hospital confirmed the man who fell from the bridge was Spencer Baker. He was treated and released Thursday morning.

Windsor Harbour Master Peter Berry confirmed to CBC News the man is Canadian. Berry called it a "miracle" he survived.

A Ministry of Labour spokesperson said the man worksfor AC Metal in Oldcastle. Because the incident occurred in the United States, the spokesperson told CBC News, U.S. authorities will have jurisdiction in the investigation.

The company could not be immediately be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.

The Michigan Occupational Health and Safety Administration said it is investigating and cannot provide comment on open investigations, though a spokesperson said these types ofinvestigations can take months to complete.

Onlookers shocked to see man fall

Onlookers were shockedafter theman fell about 43 metres into the Detroit River from the bridge on Wednesday afternoon.

Videos on social media showedthe crew of theboat, the J.W. Westcott, immediately jumpinginto action to locate and pull the man from the water.

WATCH | Onlooker captures moments of man on boat after fallfrom bridge and gettingpulled fromwater

Canadian worker rescued from Detroit River after falling 43 metres off the Ambassador Bridge

1 year ago

Duration 1:32

A worker who fell into the Detroit River from the Ambassador Bridge on Wednesday is shown being brought to shore and tended to on a boat. The man is Canadian and worked for a Windsor area company. (VIDEO: Terri George)

Sam Buchanan captains the J.W. Westcott and was aboard the ship Wednesday night.

"He was still conscious and talking, so that was good he kept asking us what happened to him," Buchanan said toCBC News about the man who fell.

Buchanan said the man's eyes looked dilated and he was dazed and confused. Pieces of his clothing had been pulled off by the impact, he added.

"I'm amazed that he survived that fall. But he was young and looked quite strong to me. The thing that makes me happy is that he's alive and his family is not going to get some bad news [Wednesday night]."

In January 2012, a worker died after fallingfrom the Ambassador Bridge the Detroit River. He was relocating scaffolding located under the span of the bridge. U.S. companies were fined about $108,000by Michigan safety officials relating to the incident.