;____;

[banditscribe]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070802/ap_on_re_us/minnesota_bridge_collapse;_ylt=Atyd_NZdNMecrQJc2LCanqJg.3QA

Edit:  http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070802/ap_on_re_us/minnesota_bridge_collapse;_ylt=AiI1CvaOZwqIiyNtpQkV9dNH2ocA

I've been across this bridge countless times...the latest time, just a couple of weeks ago.

Govenor Pawlenty has declared  a state

Comments

[alcathradiel]

Yikes!

I'm terrified of bridges. The state of the roads in Quebec is pathetic at best, and our bridges are relatively hazardous. I've been across the Victoria Bridge once and that is an experience I do not plan on repeating. And that bridge qualifies as an antique.

I really hope they manage to get everybody out alive, but that looks like a long drop.

[banditscribe]

The drop was about 64 feet for most of the vehicles...about 50 of them went into the Mississippi River. It's just horrifying to see the pictures on TV and to listen to the people who were there. As it stands, there have been 7 fatalies, 38 hospitalizations and 28 treated and released. The fatality numbers will be going up before the night is done. I suspect most of those will be due to drowning. ;_;

The preliminary reports are that this was a structural failure and not related to sabatoge. The bridge was built in 1967, and is inspected by the government because it's on a federal interstate system. Top level Federal officials will be here tomorrow to examine the damage.

It looks like the thing was bombed. Just unreal.

This kind of tragedy brings out all that is good and noble in people. For example, the residents of an apartment house right next to the freeway were on the scene before the rescue crews and are credited with saving 12 lives. Another man crawled out of his smashed car and went to help save a pregnant lady.

[honzeldafitz]

That is unbelievable. The report said only one person killed. That's a tragedy, but I'm amazed the death toll wasn't a lot higher. Having my car go off a bridge into water is my personal nightmare. To have a bridge collapse underneath you like that... just horrible.

[banditscribe]

That report should be updated to 7 fatalities and 38 people hospitalized, with rescue and recovery efforts still underway.

They're interviewing some people who were actually on the bridge when it went. A school bus full of children returning home from a field trip fell off the edge, but miraculously landed face up on four wheels on a piece of solid concrete that fell on another piece hanging over the water. All 60 kids on the bus are okay, thanks to the chaperones on the bus and the people nearby who ran to help them.

[banditscribe]

*nods fervently*
As my neighbor said, the pics on TV look like don't look like they belong to Minnesota.

This kind of disaster never happens here. We're used to fires, tornadoes and blizzards, but not this.

One thing that is heartening to know is how quickly, smoothly and effeciently the emergency teams went into action and how well the disaster/homeland security plan has worked. Everyday people have *really* stepped up to the plate as well.

[rumielf]

*shivers* I hate bridges. I have a severe fear of them doing just this. For the 5 years I lived inthe Bay Area I never actually drove across the golden gate or the bay bridge. Long bridges like the Richmond Bridge and the bridge out here that connects Kentucky and Ohio terrify me. I have to drive as close to the middle as possible and try to not think about it.

I'm glad that of all the people that were on it that most of them are okay and I grieve for the ones that are missing or dead. *sigh*

[banditscribe]

Whenever I've driven across a bridge in the Twin Cities it's always popped into my mind that something could happen, but I never imagined it actually *would*, you know?

It's just incredible to hear accounts from people who were on the bridge when it went. Some of them fell 50 feet in their vehicles and were able to still walk away...O_O

The Mn. State Patrol says that about 20 people are missing/unaccounted for.