ILS1
08-01-2007, 07:50 PM
MINNEAPOLIS - The entire span of an interstate bridge over the Mississippi River collapsed during evening rush hour Wednesday, sending vehicles, tons of concrete and twisted metal crashing into the water.
The Interstate 35W bridge, which spans between Minneapolis and St. Paul, was under construction when it broke into several huge sections.
It was not clear how many people were injured. A burning truck and a school bus clung to one slanted slab, while at least eight cars and a truck were submerged in the river.
The bus had just crossed the bridge before it crumpled into pieces, and broadcast reports indicated the children on the bus exited out the back door.
Dozens of vehicles were scattered and stacked on top of each other amid the rubble. Some people were stranded on parts of the bridge that aren't completely in the water.
Local television stations captured video of injured people being carried up the riverbank. There was no official word on injuries, but dozens of rescue vehicles were there. Divers were also in the water.
Gregory Wernick Sr., Rockford, Ill., drove over the bridge shortly before the collapse. He stopped to get a drink nearby and heard commotion so he went back.
"I figure I crossed about 10 minutes before it happened," he said. "That's just too close to call."
He was standing about 200 feet away on top of a parking ramp with large group of people.
"I've never seen anything like this," he said.
The Homeland Security Department had received no indications Wednesday night that the collapse was an act of terrorism, department spokesman Russ Knocke said in Washington.
"We continue to monitor the situation. At this time, there's no indication of a nexus to terrorism," Knocke said.
Story Link (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070802/ap_on_re_us/minnesota_bridge_collapse)
The Interstate 35W bridge, which spans between Minneapolis and St. Paul, was under construction when it broke into several huge sections.
It was not clear how many people were injured. A burning truck and a school bus clung to one slanted slab, while at least eight cars and a truck were submerged in the river.
The bus had just crossed the bridge before it crumpled into pieces, and broadcast reports indicated the children on the bus exited out the back door.
Dozens of vehicles were scattered and stacked on top of each other amid the rubble. Some people were stranded on parts of the bridge that aren't completely in the water.
Local television stations captured video of injured people being carried up the riverbank. There was no official word on injuries, but dozens of rescue vehicles were there. Divers were also in the water.
Gregory Wernick Sr., Rockford, Ill., drove over the bridge shortly before the collapse. He stopped to get a drink nearby and heard commotion so he went back.
"I figure I crossed about 10 minutes before it happened," he said. "That's just too close to call."
He was standing about 200 feet away on top of a parking ramp with large group of people.
"I've never seen anything like this," he said.
The Homeland Security Department had received no indications Wednesday night that the collapse was an act of terrorism, department spokesman Russ Knocke said in Washington.
"We continue to monitor the situation. At this time, there's no indication of a nexus to terrorism," Knocke said.
Story Link (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070802/ap_on_re_us/minnesota_bridge_collapse)