Bridge Collapse in Minneapolis: 35W Over Mississippi, Cars in River

The Interstate Hwy. 35W bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis has 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.  

Bridge Collapse in Minneapolis: 35W Over Mississippi, Cars in River

Witnesses have said that they have seen children with blood on their faces.  Fox News is reporting that Cars tossed into the water, at least 20 to 30 people injured; no reports of deaths yet, officials say.  The entire span of the 35W bridge collapsed about 6:05 p.m. where the freeway crosses the river near University Avenue.

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The Star-Tribune reports that Workers have been repairing the 40-year-old bridge’s surface as part of improvements along that stretch of the interstate.  The paper reports that 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.

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Emergency workers are rushing to the scene.  Fox news is reporting that multiple trauma victims -- some in critical condition -- have been taken to Hemmpein County Medical Center.