The New Hampshire Attorney General's office has released a report accusing a draw bridge operator of ignoring warning lights and shutting off an emergency buzzer during a incident in May that nearly led to tragedy over the Piscataqua River in Portsmouth, NH.

The gate operator, who should have been checking the bridge position, was relaxing in a recliner instead and the other operator overrode the gate controls, allowing traffic through even though the bridge was still up, according to Foster's Daily Democrat.

Two vehicles barely avoided plunging into the river after getting the green light on the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge that leads into Maine. The first vehicle came within 10 feet of the edge before slamming on its brakes. The second vehicle narrowly missed ramming into the back of the first.

The investigation also found that the two employees got together shortly after realizing their mistake and came up with a story to explain away their actions, the newspaper reported.

The state Department of Transportation fired the employees last month. The two drivers have indicated they will sue the state.