Bridge Collapse in Minneapolis

[kristoff]

For those 2.3 people who might possibly concerned, I did not take a dive from the bridge that went down. I drive for a living, and typically cross this bridge 10-20 times a day. This is so FREAKING unbeleivable. I live a mile from there. I am afraid to walk down to that area - assuming I could even get close. Took an hour to stop shaking after only hearingh it and watching on TV, and answering about 75 calls checking on me, and calling dozens checking on them. Phones are mostly shut down - jammed circuits.

For those who pray please do so. There has to be at least a hundred cars under water, from the look of it. For those who dont pray start doing somethin g please.

[Robby (imported)]

Bridge Falls Into Mississippi River (http://www.comcast.net/news/index.jsp?c ... 29325.html)

By PAT CONDON, Associated Press Writer

42 minutes ago

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.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

[Robby (imported)]

I work half a mile west of the bridge and normally use the bridge to get home. Today, I was not on the bridge and passed by the bridge crossing 35W to the north at 6 PM. The Bridge fell at approx. 6:05 PM. I thank my lucky stars my route took me a different way.

[talula]

This, for this part of the world, is a real terror! Let us pray for all those that were in that area!!! I know I will.

Regretfully,

talula

[OneBallBoi (imported)]

My heart and sympathy goes out to all of you there in the twin city area. When I was in New York, a bridge over the Mohawk River collapsed one spring from the high waters washing out the soil under the pilings. Many were hurt there as well. None of us knows the days of our lives. All of us must thank God every day for life. It is so precious.

[bobbie (imported)]

My heart and prayers go out to all the good people that were there. Wish a fast recovery too those injured. It sore of hits home when you have been to the place of such destruction. I have been on that road many times over the years. It seems like there is just no place where you can really be safe. Words can not reflect how one feels in a situation like this.

[Daughter (imported)]

I live in St Paul. I haven't used that bridge in a long time, but know people who do. I'm glad to hear that the rest of you locals are ok too. Holy Buckets, Batman!!!

[jemagirl (imported)]

I remember when the when the Cypress Viaduct Collapsed (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Cypr ... llapse.jpg) during the Loma Prieta earthquake (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loma_Prieta_earthquake). A lot of people died. Looking at the wreckage in Minneapolis things could have been allot worse. I'm thankful more people weren't killed.

[JohnMichel (imported)]

Dear friends;

May I remember you that most people have

television sets, and radios and telephone.

What is this need of parroting what is on tv

on this forum or is it an allusion that this

particular road has been penectomised ?

JM

[BossTamsin (imported)]

Dear friends;

May I remember you that most people have

television sets, and radios and telephone.

What is this need of parroting what is on tv

on this forum or is it an allusion that this

particular road has been penectomised ?

JM

The reason is that we have a good number of people, including a large chunk of the EA Council, living in the general vicinity of this bridge, who may have been traveling over it at the time of the collapse. People were worried. See the thread about the MOM in Minneapolis to see how many are in and around that area, and how important it is to the EA in many ways.