Nine dead in Mississippi bridge collapse
Friday, 3 August 2007
MINNEAPOLIS, Aug 2 (AFP): At least nine people were killed after a highway bridge over the Mississippi river buckled and collapsed, plunging cars and trucks into the rushing waters below, officials said.
Dozens of vehicles fell into the river or were crushed as parts of the eight-lane bridge, which rises 64 feet (20 metres) over the water, were sheared off during Wednesday evening rush hour in Minneapolis.
"The bridge started falling, cars were flying everywhere and I saw the water coming up," said Catherine Yankelevich, who was driving across the bridge when it fell.
Her car ended up in the water but she managed to roll down her window and swim to safety.
A semi-truck caught fire after it was sliced in half, while a busload of children was stranded on a collapsed section of the roadway.
Dozens of vehicles fell into the river or were crushed as parts of the eight-lane bridge, which rises 64 feet (20 metres) over the water, were sheared off during Wednesday evening rush hour in Minneapolis.
"The bridge started falling, cars were flying everywhere and I saw the water coming up," said Catherine Yankelevich, who was driving across the bridge when it fell.
Her car ended up in the water but she managed to roll down her window and swim to safety.
A semi-truck caught fire after it was sliced in half, while a busload of children was stranded on a collapsed section of the roadway.