Dodgergirl
Aug 02, 2007, 01:29 AM
MINNEAPOLIS (Reuters) - At least seven people died in the rush-hour collapse of a major interstate bridge over the Mississippi River in the U.S. state of Minnesota on Wednesday.
Officials expected the death toll to rise once recovery operations resumed at daybreak.
Sections of the Interstate 35W bridge broke loose about 6:05 p.m. CDT (7:05 p.m. EDT), plunging into the river, on to its banks and another roadway. Crumpled vehicles, huge slabs of concrete and twisted steel littered the area.
"Obviously this is a catastrophe of historic proportions," said Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.
Witnesses said a frightening rumble came from the bridge, followed by a thunderous roar, before the 500-foot (160 meter) span came down. Survivors also told the Minneapolis Star Tribune the bridge began to buck up and down.
"I'm lucky to be alive," Marcelo Cruz, 26, said repeatedly.
more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070802/ts_nm/bridge_collapse_dc_14
Officials expected the death toll to rise once recovery operations resumed at daybreak.
Sections of the Interstate 35W bridge broke loose about 6:05 p.m. CDT (7:05 p.m. EDT), plunging into the river, on to its banks and another roadway. Crumpled vehicles, huge slabs of concrete and twisted steel littered the area.
"Obviously this is a catastrophe of historic proportions," said Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty.
Witnesses said a frightening rumble came from the bridge, followed by a thunderous roar, before the 500-foot (160 meter) span came down. Survivors also told the Minneapolis Star Tribune the bridge began to buck up and down.
"I'm lucky to be alive," Marcelo Cruz, 26, said repeatedly.
more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070802/ts_nm/bridge_collapse_dc_14