Father-to-be Gianluca Ardini survived the deadly Morandi bridge collapse in Genoa by clinging onto two wires 20 metres above the ground and thinking of his unborn child, according to his pregnant girlfriend.
The dramatic rescue was captured on video and shared on social media by the Italian fire service, but his identity was previously unknown.
Local media reported that Mr Ardini had clung on despite having a dislocated shoulder.
The 29-year-old was reportedly driving across the bridge in a work van making a delivery when the bridge collapsed, killing his colleague Luigi Altodonna.
Mr Ardini's girlfriend Giulia Organo, 28, is eight months pregnant and told Italian media thoughts about his unborn child spurred him to fight for his life.
"It's been a miracle, that's all I can say," Ms Organo told Italian media.
"He held on to two wires for dear life.
"In September he'll be a father. I believe this is one of the reasons why he held on."
Ms Organo said her boyfriend's rescuers had told him not to move around while hanging on the wires for fear that they may collapse further.
