The body of a Baltimore Key Bridge victim was recovered 10 days after the collapse: the third was removed from the Patapsco while three others are presumed dead.
Construction worker Maynor Yasir Suazo-Sandoval, 38, was one of six killed when a freighter crashed into the bridge early March 26, sparking a frantic rescue effort to find those affected.
The father of two was pulled from the river days after divers found the body of Alejandro Hernández Fuentes, 36, on March 27, inside a red pickup truck that had sunk 25 feet into the frigid waters.
Himself a father of four, his body was found next to that of Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, after the three workers were precipitated to death the day before, after the DALI shipping container crashed into the bridge and cause its collapse.
Meanwhile, Suazo-Sandoval’s recovery came on the same day that President Joe Biden visited the collapse site to thank first responders for their continued efforts, as the bodies of three of the team’s six men remain missing.
Construction worker Maynor Yasir Suazo-Sandoval, 38, was one of six killed when a freighter crashed into the bridge early March 26.
The father of two was pulled from the river days after divers found the bodies of Alejandro Hernández Fuentes (left), 36, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, on March 27.
“These were workers toiling in the middle of the night to repair potholes on a bridge that tens of thousands of travelers crossed every day,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during a briefing on the day former.
Biden added Friday, “Your nation has your back,” addressing the people of Baltimore as he vowed to rebuild the iconic bridge, while renewing his call for the GOP-dominated House to pay for it.
The president went on to tell the story of the final message of the six construction workers who died in the collapse whose body is still missing, Latino immigrant Carlos Hernández, 24 years old.
During the speech, held in front of the body of water where the bridge once stood, Biden recounted how Carlos had left a message for his girlfriend on the day of the disaster, saying that their shift was almost over and that they were just waiting on the cement that had been poured to dry.
Biden, in turn, promised to recover the bodies of the workers still missing and not to rest until the cement on a new bridge dries, telling those present: “We are going to continue working hard to recover every one of them.”
‘My vote is that we will not rest, as Carlos said, until the cement has dried and the entirety of a new bridge [is built].’
A few hours later, Suazo-Sandoval’s body was found, while it was said that Biden was meeting with relatives of the deceased.
Meanwhile, Suazo-Sandoval’s recovery came on the same day that President Joe Biden visited the site of the collapse to thank first responders for their continued efforts.
The devastation at the site of the collapse, which occurred when the helpless freighter rammed it last week, is extensive.
Stunning images show the moment the ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, sending the colossal steel structure into the Patapsco River.
The remains of the Francis Scott Key Bridge
That said, three of the men, including Miguel Luna, a father of five, an anonymous 35-year-old man from Camotán, Chiquimula, in Guatemala, and a worker from Mexico, remain missing.
Col. Roland L. Butler, Jr., superintendent of the Maryland Department of State Police, said in a statement Friday: “There are families still waiting to hear if we have found their loved one.”
“I can promise you that we are fully committed to finding closure for each of these families.”
Meanwhile, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott later added that the recovery of the third victim “brings us one step closer to closure,” though he added that his “heart remains with all the families who continue to anxiously wait for their loved ones.” dear ones.”
The Democrat, who on the day of the collapse chastised reporters for asking about a replacement bridge instead of the lives lost, told citizens: “I am grateful for the first responders who have focused on recovering the remaining victims and continued their work to clean the canal”. with the utmost care.
“We will continue to do everything in our power to support these families and provide them with everything they need to persevere through this unthinkable tragedy.”
President Joe Biden, in Marine One, flies over the remains of the Francis Scott Key Bridge
President Biden’s motorcade passes by the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge
The cranes are already working on repairs.
The disaster was caused when a container ship collided with the historic flyover, causing its abrupt end after some 47 years. Formerly the Francis Scott Key Bridge, it was the third longest crossing of its type.
Standing 1,200 feet tall, it is named after the writer of The Star-Spangled Banner because it stood about 100 yards from where Francis Scott Key watched the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in 1814, the battle that inspired the patriotic poem. . .
Its last inspection occurred in May 2021 and concluded that, despite being supported by only three support beams, it was in good condition.
After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, city officials opted not to install dock guards around those beams, deeming the task too costly. A ship collided with one of those beams Friday night, causing a collapse that obliterated the structure in seconds.
Their story, however, remains and leaves a lasting legacy.