Current:Home > StocksMississippi bridge collapse in Simpson County during demolition leaves 3 dead, 4 injured -Summit Capital Strategies
Mississippi bridge collapse in Simpson County during demolition leaves 3 dead, 4 injured
View
Date:2025-04-15 04:20:06
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 elagatta@gannett.com
veryGood! (6923)
Related
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- Applebee's offering limited number of date night subscriptions
- The Razzie nominations are out. Here's who's up for worst actor and actress.
- Seoul police chief indicted over 2022 Halloween crush that killed more than 150 people
- Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
- Dan Morgan hired as general manager of Carolina Panthers
- Abortion rights supporters launch campaign for Maryland constitutional amendment
- Ex-Army soldier charged in Capitol riot was convicted of manslaughter for killing Iraqi man in 2004
- The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test
- Sarah Ferguson treated for skin cancer: What to know about melanoma, sunscreen
Ranking
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- Burton Wilde: Left-Side Trading and Right-Side Trading in Stocks.
- Burton Wilde: Four Techniques for Securely Investing in Cryptocurrencies.
- More than $1 billion awarded to Minnesota, Wisconsin bridge
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- Death on the Arabian Sea: How a Navy SEAL fell into rough waters and another died trying to save him
- Tribes, environmental groups ask US court to block $10B energy transmission project in Arizona
- Former West Virginia health official pleads guilty in COVID-19 payment investigation
Recommendation
FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
Jason Kelce's Daughter Has Hilarious Reaction to His Shirtless NFL Moment
Beverly Hills, 90210 Actor David Gail's Cause of Death Revealed
Plagiarism probe finds some problems with former Harvard president Claudine Gay’s work
Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
US, British militaries team up again to bomb sites in Yemen used by Iran-backed Houthis
A sanction has been imposed on a hacker who released Australian health insurer client data
Billy Joel prepares to 'Turn the Lights Back On' with first new pop song in decades