Minneapolis Bridge Collapse Into Mississippi River (with Videos and Photos)
MINNEAPOLIS --HCMC has just issued an Orange Alert after a freeway bridge spanning the Mississippi River in Minneapolis collapsed during evening rush hour Wednesday, sending cars into the water.
Hennepin County Medical Center has reported 15 injuries so far. They do not know the extent of the injuries, but there is a steady flow of patients.
20-30 construction workers were on the bridge at the time of the collapse, working on a re-construction project. The bridge was built in 1967.
At least 50 cars fell from the I-35W bridge to the Mississippi River. Rail cars with hazardous materials are trapped under the bridge.
Survivors were being carried up the riverbank. Black smoke and fire is visible underneath the bridge and streams of gasoline are visible in the rising smoke and streams of gasoline in the river.
Some people were stranded on parts of the bridge that weren't completely submerged.
The entire span of the Interstate 35W bridge collapsed about 6:05 p.m. where the freeway crosses the river near University Avenue
MnDOT will have a briefing on the collapse at 8:30 p.m.
If you have witnessed the collapse please call 952-946-5767. And, if you have photos of the collapse, please email them to photos@foxtv.com.