Mississippi Bridge Collapses During Rush Hour in Minneapolis - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

The Swede · #1 08-01-2007, 07:57 PM

I-35W bridge collapses

By Star Tribune staff, Star Tribune
Last update: August 01, 2007 – 6:53 PM

The Interstate Hwy. 35W bridge over the Mississippi River collapsed during the evening rush hour Wednesday, dumping at least eight cars and a truck into the water and onto the land below, creating a horrific scene of damage, fire, smoke, injuries, frantic rescuers and terrified motorists.It was not clear how many people might be hurt or killed, but witnesses said at least 20 cars were involved.

The crumpled green wreckage of the bridge lay on the east bank of the river, and a huge section of concrete roadway lay on the west bank. Down below in the river gorge, rescue workers scrambled to help people on the roadway that now lay in the gorge. Fires burned and black smoke rose billowed the wreckage.
Workers have been repairing the 40-year-old bridge’s surface as part of improvements along that stretch of the interstate.
Rescue workers were helping some people from cars in the river onto land.

People at the scene said the entire bridge collapsed, leaving part of the roadway submerged and part above water.
A number of people were walking around on the roadway that was not submerged.

Ramon Houge of St. Paul, was on his way home from work at Wells Fargo and was driving on the bridge when heard a rumbling noise, saw the ground collapse and cars go down. He said cars backed up as best they could and he parked in a construction zone and was finally able to turn around and drive off the bridge. “It didn’t seem like it was real,” he said. Traffic was bumper to bumper and hundreds of people would have been involved, he said, adding that he saw kids on a bus with blood on their faces.

Sarah Fahnhorst, who lives in an apartment a block away from the bridge, heard a huge thud and then “the entire building shook. It shook the ground.”

A264172 · #2 08-01-2007, 08:03 PM

Oh crap.

Things like that always get me thinking about the victims and their familys.

Best wishes for you town.

The Swede · #3 08-01-2007, 08:05 PM

Thanks. Never happens in your town.

They say 60+ cars involved, 60+ feet above the "Old Muddy"

What/who was underneath.

A264172 · #4 08-01-2007, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Swede

Thanks. Never happens in your town.

They say 60+ cars involved, 60+ feet above the "Old Muddy"

What/who was underneath.

Seldom is it big like that. The first time you hear about someone killed in a traffic accident I suppose It affects you that way, but then it becomes familiar, and looses some of its emotion.
We all use these big public works so much in our lives that we take them for granted and never imagine they can fail us. I'm sure this accident will be dragged out for a long time, with plenty of inconvenience and cost and blame to be doled out. In the past year or so we had a convention center construction collapse here that was on a much smaller scale of cost and lives affected, and a landslide that closed a major road for a few months with no lives lost. It sounds like this will have a real big impact on a lot of peoples lives over a long stretch of time, but none more than the family's of the commuters who were expecting them at home tonight.

Medmech · #5 08-01-2007, 08:50 PM

Ted could clear it easily in the 600.

Pete Geither · #6 08-01-2007, 08:52 PM

Was watching Fox News when they got the alert and they went immediately to the scene. Right now it is 7:46 and they have been reporting non-stop with no commercials since the alert. I checked in with CNN and it was at least 20 minutes before they got away from their OBama review, and once they did hear of the disaster, they are routinely breaking for commercials. Fox News definately has the edge in reporting breaking news.

The Swede · #7 08-01-2007, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A264172

It sounds like this will have a real big impact on a lot of peoples lives over a long stretch of time, but none more than the family's of the commuters who were expecting them at home tonight.

It affects all who are aware, wholeness.

Medmech · #8 08-01-2007, 08:58 PM

hopefully there is plenty of volunteer manpower to help people out before nightfall.

The Swede · #9 08-01-2007, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Geither

Was watching Fox News when they got the alert and they went immediately to the scene. Right now it is 7:46 and they have been reporting non-stop with no commercials since the alert. I checked in with CNN and it was at least 20 minutes before they got away from their OBama review, and once they did hear of the disaster, they are routinely breaking for commercials. Fox News definately has the edge in reporting breaking news.

Not much of a news week. Murdoch and Dow Jones, stock market, oil prices. Oh yeah, and the little thing called the Iraq War. They report the daily attacks, then move onto the Hollywood fluff.

The Swede · #10 08-01-2007, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howitzer

hopefully there is plenty of volunteer manpower to help people out before nightfall.

It's about 4 miles from my house. We were thinking about going down there, me an ex-Respiratory Therapist (ACLS) and my wife a RN, also ACLS. Probably could help, but since it's late on the scene we'd more than likely be in the way.

We figure there are a lot of people helping, since it's near the U of M, a big trauma I hospital and my old digs, another truama I. They're all in triage mode.

The Swede · #11 08-01-2007, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howitzer

Ted could clear it easily in the 600.

She's been collecting dust.

Diesel time. Wish everyone could drive a car safe as a Benz or Volvo.

Larry Delor · #12 08-01-2007, 09:09 PM

Swede,
Even if you only help one person, wether it be to give them first aid type of treatment, or give them a sip of water, it will have been worth it for the recipient.

The Swede · #13 08-01-2007, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Delor

Swede,
Even if you only help one person, wether it be to give them first aid type of treatment, or give them a sip of water, it will have been worth it for the recipient.

True. I'm pretty sure they have everything cordoned off and only first responders and "officials" are allowed on the scene. Too many people in a emergency situation can be a major hinderance. Not even sure I can get there, since the only route is 35W.

If was still working in trauma, I'd head on down to my old job. I'm sure they would need the assistance.

Medmech · #14 08-01-2007, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Swede

It's about 4 miles from my house. We were thinking about going down there, me an ex-Respiratory Therapist (ACLS) and my wife a RN, also ACLS. Probably could help, but since it's late on the scene we'd more than likely be in the way.

We figure there are a lot of people helping, since it's near the U of M, a big trauma I hospital and my old digs, another truama I. They're all in triage mode.

You would be surprised since 9-11 most emergency plans are set up for volunteers like yourself to step up, if they are covered they will send you away.

The Swede · #15 08-01-2007, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Howitzer

You would be surprised since 9-11 most emergency plans are set up for volunteers like yourself to step up, if they are covered they will send you away.

Quite literally, I cannot get to the scene unless via an emergency vehicle.

They just said they have all the people they need. A few hundred para's, 25 docs, more trauma docs, pediatricians, nurses etc.

The only thing we can do now is give blood.