Highway Bridge Collapses In Minneapolis
A bridge on Interstate 35 has collapsed into the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Many cars have been plunged into the water. Initial reports indicate that there are injuries - no word on fatalities yet.
Tons of concrete collapsed and there were injuries, authorities said. Survivors were being carried up the riverbank.
Some people were stranded on parts of the bridge that weren't completely submerged.
The entire span of the Interstate 35W bridge collapsed about 6:05 p.m. where the freeway crosses the river near University Avenue in Minneapolis.
Will update as more becomes available.
UPDATE: It's bad.
It was not clear how many people might be hurt or killed, but witnesses said at least 20 cars were involved.
Multiple trauma victims — some in critical condition — have been taken to Hemmpein County Medical Center.
The crumpled green wreckage of the bridge lay on the east bank of the river, and a huge section of concrete roadway lay on the west bank. Down below in the river gorge, rescue workers scrambled to help people on the roadway that now lay in the gorge. Fires burned and black smoke rose billowed the wreckage.
UPDATE: Video.
UPDATE: AP is reporting that seven people are known to be dead at this time.
MINNEAPOLIS - An interstate bridge jammed with rush-hour traffic suddenly broke into huge sections and collapsed into the Mississippi River Wednesday, pitching dozens of cars 60 feet into the water and killing at least seven people.
The eight-lane Interstate 35W bridge, a major Minneapolis artery, was in the midst of being repaired and two lanes in each direction were closed when the bridge buckled.
"There were two lanes of traffic, bumper to bumper, at the point of the collapse. Those cars did go into the river," Minneapolis Police Lt. Amelia Huffman. "At this point there is nothing to suggest that this was anything other than a structural collapse."
Sadly, I suspect that news will be updated.
By Jack, Wednesday, 1 August , 2007 @ 7:41 pm
“It’s bad.”
From what I’ve seen, I’d have to agree.
By Lars Walker, Wednesday, 1 August , 2007 @ 8:48 pm
6 dead at last report. They’re ruling out terrorism, but I’m not.