Tragic Minneapolis Bridge Collapse, Six Fatalities Reported

Today, during rush hour at about 6 p.m., the I-35 (35W) Mississippi River bridge near downtown Minneapolis, collapsed. Read the latest story from the Minneapolis Star Tribune here.

More than 100 vehicles plummeted from the steel arch deck truss bridge into the river and onto the wreckage. Emergency personnel were on the scene immediately as well as the Office of Homeland Security and FBI. “A steady stream” of survivors, conscious and unconscious were being rushed to area hospitals.

Photo Courtesy: Fox 9 News Minneapolis

Eye witnesses and victims described the bridge collapse saying they heard a loud rumble and then the concrete buckled sending cars skidding, flying and nose-diving in every direction. While the collapse occurred near the end of rush hour, traffic was still bumper to bumper through this area. the bridge carries more than 100,000 vehicles in both directions each day.

Deck replacement and approach construction were underway on the bridge, indicating that the collapse perhaps was due to some failure caused by the work and repair that was underway.

In addition to the collapse into the Mississippi River, the bridge trusses and concrete fell on another highway passing under the bridge, a railroad train under the bridge, as well as bike paths and pedestrian walkways. Construction workers were also on and under the bridge during the collapse.

UPDATE: At 9:30 p.m. central time, Aug. 1, CNN reports that there have been six fatalities, at least one of which is related to drowning.

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