Current:Home > MarketsMississippi bridge collapse in Simpson County during demolition leaves 3 dead, 4 injured-LoTradeCoin
Mississippi bridge collapse in Simpson County during demolition leaves 3 dead, 4 injured
View Date:2024-12-23 23:41:00
Three people were killed and four were seriously injured when a bridge in Mississippi targeted for demolition collapsed Wednesday afternoon, authorities said.
The bridge, located about 40 miles south of Jackson on State Route 149 over the Strong River in Simpson County, had been closed for nearly a month so crews could demolish it, the Mississippi Department of Transportation said in a news release. The bridge collapsed prematurely in what the department described as a "work site accident."
"Sadly, there were fatalities as a result of the accident, and we extend our deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones," the department said in its statement.
Search underway:Navy aircraft with 2 aboard crashes in Washington near Mount Rainier
Three killed, 4 critically injured in Mississippi bridge collapse
The bridge has been closed to traffic since Sept. 18 as part of a bridge replacement project and a contractor was in the process of demolishing it before the collapse, the department of transportation said.
Gov. Tate Reeves confirmed late Wednesday on social media that three workers were killed.
"We have confirmed multiple injuries and at least three fatalities from the accident. As the situation develops, authorities will provide more information while respecting the privacy of the bereaved," Reeves said in a statement shared on Facebook. "Please keep the families and coworkers of everyone involved in your prayers."
Terry Tutor, the Simpson County coroner, told the New York Times that seven men were using heavy machinery on the bridge to tear it down when it gave way and plummeted nearly 40 feet.
Reached Thursday by USA TODAY, Tutor confirmed that three of the men died and four were injured. He identified the men who were killed in the collapse as Kevin Malone, Charles Ingleharte, and Charles Badger.
Simpson County Sheriff Paul Mullins told WLBT-TV, an NBC affiliate station in Jackson, that the four people who were injured were in critical condition.
Mullins did not immediately return a message left Thursday morning by USA TODAY.
Federal government briefed on collapse; cause undetermined
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on social media site X that he was briefed on the "premature collapse."
In his post, Buttigieg said the Federal Highway Administration was “engaging state officials concerning” the fatal accident.
"Our thoughts are with the workers who were injured and lost their lives, and with their families," Buttigieg said.
An inspector with the state's department of transportation was on site during the collapse and was unharmed, the department said.
It was unclear as of Thursday morning what had caused the collapse.
This story has been updated to add new information.
Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected]
veryGood! (24)
Related
- More human remains from Philadelphia’s 1985 MOVE bombing have been found at a museum
- Russian authorities seek to fine a human rights advocate for criticizing the war in Ukraine
- Third man sentenced in Michael K. Williams' accidental overdose, gets 5 years for involvement
- Gaza is tiny and watched closely by Israel. But rescuing hostages there would be a daunting task
- Biden funded new factories and infrastructure projects, but Trump might get to cut the ribbons
- Diane Kruger Shares Rare Video of Her and Norman Reedus' 4-Year-Old Daughter Nova
- Pray or move? Survey shows Americans who think their homes are haunted and took action
- Amazon Influencers Share the Items They Always Subscribe & Save
- Summer I Turned Pretty's Gavin Casalegno Marries Girlfriend Cheyanne Casalegno
- 'Madonna: A Rebel Life' biography celebrates the impact of a pop icon: 'This is who I am'
Ranking
- FC Cincinnati player Marco Angulo dies at 22 after injuries from October crash
- Jada Pinkett Smith Reveals She and Will Smith Had Been Separated for 6 Years Before 2022 Oscars
- Southern California jury delivers $135M verdict in molestation case involving middle school teacher
- Astros on the brink of seventh straight ALCS with Game 3 win vs. Twins
- Georgia State University is planning a $107M remake of downtown Atlanta
- Supreme Court seems skeptical of finding that South Carolina congressional district was racial gerrymander
- American volunteers at Israeli hospital as civilians mobilize to help: Everyone doing whatever they can
- Atlanta's police chief fires officer involved in church deacon Johnny Hollman Sr.'s death
Recommendation
-
Congress heard more testimony about UFOs: Here are the biggest revelations
-
Nashville sues over Tennessee law letting state pick six of 13 on local pro sports facility board
-
Shop the Best Amazon October Prime Day Fashion Deals 2023 to Upgrade Your Fall Wardrobe
-
Sen. Tim Scott says $6 billion released in Iran prisoner swap created market for hostages
-
We Can Tell You How to Get to Sesame Street—and Even More Secrets About the Beloved Show
-
NASA launching Psyche mission to explore metallic asteroid: How to watch the cosmic quest
-
See Shirtless Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White Transform Into Wrestlers in The Iron Claw Trailer
-
Wholesale inflation in US rises 2.2% in September, biggest year-over-year gain since April