Minneapolis Bridge Collapses Over Mississippi River

[elicoleman]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Then entire span of a four-lane 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. Dozens of vehicles were scattered and stacked on top of each other amid the rumble.

A burning semi-truck and a school bus clung to one slanted slab, while an unknown number of vehicles were submerged.

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.



My stepbrother and his fiance drive across this bridge a couple of times a day, so we're still waiting to here from them.

[elicoleman]

Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapses Over Mississippi River

Just got a call from him. He's safe, thank God.

[Scottdau]

Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapses Over Mississippi River

Glad to hear that he is safe. That looks pretty bad.

[JayBee74]

Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapses Over Mississippi River

Glad to hear that your stepbrother and fiance are safe.

[Rainey]

Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapses Over Mississippi River

Wow that is horrible news.

[vinny]

Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapses Over Mississippi River

Glad to hear they're safe. Just thought I would add that the kids that were on the bus were reportedly brought to safety.

[SPTO]

Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapses Over Mississippi River

an MSN buddy of mine used to live in Minneapolis and knows a lot of people. She's pretty broken up right now. I just heard that there were 150-200 cars on the bridge at the time.

Hopefully the death and injury toll is minimal.

[bergie56]

Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapses Over Mississippi River

Eli I am glad that your brother is ok. My brother lives in that area and he is ok. Watching the news coverage of it is very surreal. Unfortunately, the news coverage of it is being pretty over-the-top. It is kind of making me mad. There was a group of people getting medical attention that the news people zoomed in on. It personally disgusted me.

[oakfan162]

Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapses Over Mississippi River

Glad your family is OK. Seeing this on CNN, it looks terrifying. I hope all the best for all those involved.

[Scott]

Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapses Over Mississippi River

Wow...im stunned, this is terrible.

[elicoleman]

Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapses Over Mississippi River

A police officer reported he saw atleast 7 people dead.

[bergie56]

Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapses Over Mississippi River

So far 3 people have been confirmed dead. I think unfortunately I saw one of the body bags from the news coverage.

[Altimus]

Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapses Over Mississippi River

Wow, what an unfortunate disaster.

Prayers go out to the families...

[Sandman42]

Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapses Over Mississippi River

Wow at least 150 cars on the bridge at the time. Prayers go out to all the families.

The thing that's even more frightening is that every state has dozens and dozens of these bridges that people travel everyday. I travel across a couple each day and never think once that the bridges would just collapse.

[nickb]

Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapses Over Mississippi River

My sister goes to school in Minneapolis, tryed calling her cell phone, but all cell's in the area are turned off, and my mom's(who lives about 20 minutes away)phone was also off.