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Bridge Collapse Deaths Dropped to 4; Search Continues |
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By The Associated Press
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Thursday, August 02 2007 |
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MINNEAPOLIS, Mn. (AP) - Hopes of finding any survivors in the Mississippi River in Minneapolis are dimming following yesterday's collapse of the interstate 35W bridge. Minneapolis Fire Chief Jim Clack says it's a recovery operation, meaning "we move slower and more deliberately." Divers have been searching the river for bodies among the submerged cars and twisted steel.
Authorities have lowered the number of confirmed deaths from the Minneapolis bridge collapse to four. Police say the medical examiner has only four sets of remains, but they warn the total could increase as divers search for as many as 30 people still missing. Police say initial reports of seven dead were based on the best estimates authorities had last night.
A woman who survived the ordeal says it "seemed like a movie." She tumbled into the Mississippi River but climbed out of her car window and swam to safety. One man at the scene says he tried to take pictures but couldn't fully capture it on film. He says "some things are meant only for the eyes."
Investigators say they're treating the area of the collapse as a crime scene until a cause has been determined. Hennepin County Sheriff Richard Stanek says they're not ruling out anything at this time.
However, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports the bridge that collapsed was rated "structurally deficient" and possibly in need of replacement two years ago. A spokeswoman for the Minnesota Department of Transportation says the department is "very familiar" with the assessment. But Governor Tim Pawlenty says inspections last year and in 2005 showed only that some "minor things" needed attention.
Federal officials will be in the Twin Cities today to begin investigating the scene. A spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board says a team of NTSB investigators will arrive on the scene along with NTSB chairman Mark Rosenker.
Also, Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, Minnesota senators Norm Coleman and Amy Klobuchar, and Congressman Keith Ellison are expected in Minneapolis today. Sen. Coleman says authorities have to do a forensic analysis to determine the cause of the collapse. Klobuchar calls the collapse "unbelievable" and "beyond imagination."
But, the Homeland Security Department says there are no indications the collapse was related to terrorism.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports the bridge that collapsed was rated "structurally deficient" and possibly in need of replacement two years ago. A spokeswoman for the Minnesota Department of Transportation says the department is "very familiar" with the assessment.
The steel-arched bridge built in 1967 was about 64 feet above the river and stretched about 19-hundred feet. The arch form was chosen to avoid putting piers in the water that might interfere with river navigation. But Governor Tim Pawlenty says inspections last year and in 2005 showed only that some "minor things" needed attention.
Also, the Minnesota governor tells NBC today that there is "no question" that the number of fatalities from the Minneapolis bridge collapse will go up as the search continues.
The Red Cross has set up an information center at a Minneapolis hotel, where at least 20 families of missing people gathered overnight. |