RSSMinneapolis, Minnesota I-35 Bridge Collapse Horror
The Interstate 35 bridge that crosses the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, MN collapsed today during evening rush hour.
Major bridge collapse being reported by Fox News
(FOX NEWS)
(WCCO)
“The bridge started to buckle,” he said. “It went up and it came down. I thought I was gonna die.” His Ford Explorer rolled backwards about 50 feet, and he hit the brakes. He was uninjured, but all around him people were screaming from their cars, some with injuries. He went from vehicle to vehicle helping people out. Four cars were submerged in the river upstream of the bridge and a rescue worker waded in the water searching for survivors. On the east bank, only a small section of the bridge support was still standing, and it was creaking as rescue workers carried out the injured.
Bridge falls into Mississippi River
It is being reposted that an estimated 50 vehicles reported plunged into the water and onto the land below.
At least one person drowned, and at least 15 people — at least six of whom were children — were injured, said Dr. Joseph Clinton of the Hennepin County Medical Center. Six of the 15 individuals being treated were in critical condition, he said.
UPDATE I: I-35W Bridge Collapses Into Mississippi River
Associated Press reports: “There were two lanes of traffic, bumper to bumper, at the point of the collapse. Those cars did go into the river,” Minneapolis Police Lt. Amelia Huffman. “At this point there is nothing to suggest that this was anything other than a structural collapse.” (WCCO)
Other blogs covering this terrible tragedy:
- Wizbang: Many updates to this just horrific tragedy
- Little Green Footballs
- Michelle Malkin
- Hot Air: Horrific Bridge Collapse
UPDATE II: 3 dead as Mississippi River bridge falls amid rush hour in Minneapolis
(CNN) — At least three people were killed when an interstate bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota, collapsed Wednesday evening, plunging cars and chunks of concrete into the Mississippi River below.
There were “lots” of injuries, said the state Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department.
UPDATE III: Comments from Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty
“This is a catastrophe of historic proportions for Minnesota,” said Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R). “We are doing everything we can to make sure we respond as quickly as we can to this emergency.”
UPDATE IV: Bridge Disaster Kills Six
The I-35W highway bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis collapsed during evening rush hour Wednesday, killing at least six people.
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak comfirmed the deaths during an evening press conference.
Dr. Joseph Clinton of Hennepin County Medical Center confirmed at least one death was due to drowning and his staff was treating six people for critical injuries and at least 22 people for minor injuries.
UPDATE V: Reports that 9 have been killed in the Bridge Collapse Catostrophe
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14 Responses to “Minneapolis, Minnesota I-35 Bridge Collapse Horror”
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This is horrible.why?
Hey Minnesota Dad,
If you are ok, holler. I’m hoping
you weren’t on that bridge tonight!
It’s a wonder more people weren’t killed or
injured, especially during rush-hour traffic
my thoughts and prayers are with everyone in
Minneapolis.
They haven’t even located all of the vehicles (and people) and the blame game has already started. Someone shoot a news reporter or three to shut them up. We have seen great character in the people of Mn, now will we see any brains or play the same old political game. They can call Haliburton (or similiar contractors) and get a bridge up in months or play games like NYC and have a hole in the ground six years from now.
My prayers and best wishes go out to all of the people and families involved in this horrible accident. I hope there aren’t many more deaths..
Seven is seven too many!
I am usually not much of a conspiracy theorist, but given the type of controversy surrounding the religion of peace, the city of Minneapolis (all Muslim all the time, taxi drivers, Keith Ellison, the Flying Imams, general liberal atmosphere) I can’t shake the idea that this was no coincidence.
How could Michael Chertoff come out so quickly and say it was not an act of terrorism. Someone should tell the press to quit worrying about blame, be civil and worry about the victims. I hate the media most days and today is no different. Not one single solitary media person is doing a single thing to help but they are eagery starting the blame game.
Shakespeare had not met the modern day talking/jabbering bloviating media people, or he would have included them with the lawyers.
This bridge was used by students and parents of 3 colleges as well as being a major highway in the center of the Twin Cities. The foot traffic of students can be extensive. We are all very thankful that so many were spared. The wife of a co-worker was 30 seconds off of the bridge when it went down behind her.
[...] the wake of the Minneapolis I-35 bridge collapse, people search for survivors, loved ones, and answers. It is being reported that maybe 7 have been [...]
Yes, we need to hear from Minnesota Dad. Please give a shout out so we know you are okay.
This morning we had a reporter talking about the number of bridges rated “deficient” and saying “well the government knew about it” so by the end of today we can expect the nutroots to be yelling for Bush’s head. This is despicable.
There are a couple of real possibilities:
1. Design flaw
2. Inferior materials
3. sabotage
I say this because of the way that bridge failed.
What wasn’t reported is what possibilities are rated “deficient” with no structural problems, only surface problems. Fox News says there were structural defects (is scored 50 out of 120 when last inspected). You have to wonder why they are allowing the other bridge to be used, now knowing they have some real problems with the design and/or materials.
You’re right, Kat, unfortunately, somehow, some way, the nuts will find a way to “pin” the blame on Bush!!! I guess he should have been on the inspection team, personnally, like he should’ve been in New Orleans doing Ray’s job and the other first reponders. After all he IS the President and has the power to be everywhere!
What I’m wondering (besides the use of other bridges with same problems), this bridge is not that old. There are so many other bridges much older, with much heavier traffic, like the Brooklyn Bridge, no problems!!! Is our technology getting sloppy? Materials and work shody? Or did something else happen here?
I am alive and well. Thanks folks for your thoughts. I live in South Minneapolis, about five miles from the bridge. I use this bridge constantly – as do others as it is estimated that 150,000 cars cross it daily (when there wasn’t construction on it).
Having sat on that bridge in traffic in the last week several times, there was major construction going on on the bridge deck. They had shut down two lanes in each direction and they had ground up about a three inch layer of cement on each side so that they could lay down a new surface. Apparently, their work was with the ‘platform’ and had nothing to do with the structure. My guess is that a structural malfunction took place, however I find it odd that the bridge failed in so many places which makes one question a sabotage situation.
My bet is that in the end this was a structural failure. The bridge was built in 1967 and was like an ‘erector set’ bridge. I always wondered why the MAJOR bridge for the city was a piece of crap while all of the other bridges weren’t (in fact, if you look at pictures, just 100-200 yards away is the 10th street bridge which is a very solid looking bridge). NOTE to John Staton – the bridge that collapsed was the interstate bridge, there is no foot traffic from university students on that bridge. The students walk across the 10th street bridge 100-200 yards away.
This is a bad deal….imagine your most congested interstate area running through your city has just been shut down for three years. It is going to be painful to drive around here. With University starting in three weeks and our State Fair located just a few miles away….things are going to be ugly in a few weeks as transportation will be all screwed up.
On a positive, Minnesota has been slowly planning and building light rail commuting. It is my understanding that they could not build in this direction as the bridge would not have supported light rail. This collapse will allow them to plan a bridge that can also carry light rail commutors.
So far, I don’t know anyone that was on the bridge or is missing….but will give reports if that changes.
I need to drive up to the northern suburbs in 15 minutes and that would have been my route today. Now I need to figure out how I am going to reroute my way up there.
Thanks again for your thoughts!
md
Good to hear you are okay MD. Thanks for the update.
ok natural stuff like this been happening at least once a year since -9/11 the world is comming to an end
its been over three months since this tragedy and I don’t know if anyone will be reading this, but…
As for older bridges and structures, most of them are just fine. Prior to 60s, all structures were over built. it wasn’t until the 60s that engineering and cost effiency became friends. This is why we still see parts of the roman aquaduct standing in europe today. All of our old structures will be around for some time.
in some of the photos of the collapsed bridge, you can see the Stone Arch Bridge… which was built in 1880… that bridge will be around for decades to come. Its only our new structures, that are built bare minimum due to costs, that we have to worry about.
on another note… I am a Minneapolis resident. Understandably, the media is no longer covering the story. However, the relatives of the victims are still in pain… all of us who saw what happened are still mourning… hundreds of thousands of people are stuck in traffic finding new ways into downtown. Its still a nightmare here. But… new construction started today. Please keep us in your thoughts/prayers until it is over. It will be another year before the new bridge is complete and we can put this disaster “behind us.”