Tree saves van from plunging from Hannibal's Lover's Leap

HANNIBAL, Mo. -- A lone tree likely saved the life of a van driver after the vehicle plunged over a tall cliff in Hannibal -- but failed to fall to the ground several hundred feet below after slamming into the tree.

The Hannibal Courier-Post reported the incident happened Sunday.

Witnesses said the van pulled into a grassy area atop what's known as Lover's Leap, a popular tourist spot that overlooks downtown Hannibal and the Mississippi River.

Witnesses told police the van suddenly accelerated, crashing through a fence and going over the ledge.

The tree kept the van from plunging to the bottom. The van driver is hospitalized, but injury details have not been released.

Information from: Hannibal Courier-Post, http://www.hannibal.net