Officials successfully lower car hanging by wheel nine stories over Austin street

Karl Schmidt, a bicycle messenger, was biking down the alley as the car crashed through.

The garage’s safety wires were wrapped around the vehicle’s wheel and kept it from falling to the ground, fire officials said.

The driver was able to exit the vehicle safely with the help of bystanders and was not injured, officials said.

“The fact that the gentleman lived after driving off the ninth floor is a miracle,” said Austin Fire Division Chief Palmer Buck.