Wind knocks over van on Mid Bay Bridge

 NICEVILLE - A 25- to 30-foot moving van flipped over on Mid-Bay Bridge around 9 a.m. Monday, partially blocking traffic on the expanse for nearly two hours.
Niceville Fire Department Chief Tommy Mayville said the driver Robert J. McClure, of Niceville, and his passenger, Robert D. Ellis, of Valparaiso, were not injured.
"They were probably a little sore from beating around in the cab of the truck," Mayville said.
As the car was traveling southbound towards Destin, a wind shear caught the nearly empty truck and flipped it over into the northbound lane.
Storms were moving through the area at the time. Niceville responded to the call, which would normally fall under the jurisdiction of Destin or North Bay Fire Districts. But other area fire agencies were tied up in calls throughout the south end of the county.
"Engine companies were coming from all over to help each other," Mayville said.
The U.S. Coast Guard was called to the scene because of concerns about a possible diesel fuel leak. Traffic in both directions was blocked. A wrecker removed the van around 11 a.m.
Mayville said area firefighters were very busy Monday and did a wonderful job handling all of the emergencies.
Citizens should know they are "well protected with all the departments working here together," he said.