Italian footballer Davide Capello survives 30-metre fall in Genoa bridge collapse

An Italian footballer has revealed how he survived a 30-metre drop during the Genoa bridge collapse.

Davide Capello, a former Cagliari goalkeeper and Italy under-20 international, was driving his car over the bridge when the disaster took place.

The Ponte Morandi road in Genoa collapsed during a "violent" lightning storm, claiming at least 35 lives with many more feared to be trapped under the rubble.

Capello, 33, who currently plays for amateur side Legino, described the moment the bridge gave way, saying it was a miracle that he is still alive.

"I went down with the bridge, I do not know what saved me," he told Repubblica from hospital.

"I heard a dull sound, I saw the road going down and I was going down with her.

"I was lucid and I immediately called the firemen, then my family, it was shocking, I feel miraculous."

Domenico Criscito in action against New Zealand during the 2010 World Cup. Photo / Photosport

Genoa defender and former Italian international Domenico Criscito revealed that he drove over the bridge ten minutes before it collapsed.

The 31-year-old, whose former clubs include Zenit St Petersburg and Italian Serie A champions Juventus, posted a video on Instagram of him driving across the road in torrential rain.

"We're all fine, even though we crossed that bridge exactly 10 minutes before the collapse," he wrote on social media.

"My thoughts are with all the families of the victims, it's not possible for a bridge on a motorway to collapse like this - NOT POSSIBLE!"