Three people were killed and four seriously injured after a bridge collapse in Mississippi on Wednesday afternoon.
According to the Mississippi Department of Transportation, the bridge over the Strong River on Highway 149 collapsed in a “worksite accident” while a contractor was in the process of demolishing it for a bridge replacement project.
“Sadly, there were deaths as a result of the accident and we extend our deepest condolences to the families who lost their loved ones,” the department posted on X.
Terry Tutor, the Simpson County coroner, later told the New York Times that the seven men were working on the bridge, using heavy machinery to bring it down, when it suddenly gave way and fell 40 feet.
He said that until 7:30 p.m. emergency crews were able to recover the remains of two of the victims, and were working to recover the third.
The bridge over Strong River on Highway 149 in Mississippi collapsed in a “workplace accident” while a contractor was in the process of demolishing it for a bridge replacement project.
Three people died in the bridge collapse and at least four were injured
On Wednesday night, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves announced on social media that county first responders and “other state assets have been on the scene of the tragedy.”
The exact cause of the bridge collapse remains unclear at this time, and US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the Federal Highway Administration was “engaging state officials” about the “premature collapse during demolition.” of a bridge on State Route 149 in Mississippi.
It has been closed to traffic since September 18.
