Prayers Up! At Least 3 Workers Dead After Bridge Reportedly Scheduled For Demolition Collapsed In Mississippi
At least three workers are dead, and four people have reportedly been injured following the collapse of the Strong River bridge in Mississippi.
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Here’s More Details On The Strong River Bridge Collapse In Mississippi
On Wednesday, October 16, the Mississippi Department of Transportation released a statement about the collapse, which reportedly occurred that afternoon.
“The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is aware that a bridge on State Route 149 over the Strong River in Simpson County collapsed this afternoon in a work site accident,” the statement read.
Additionally, the department’s statement asserted that the bridge had been “closed to traffic since Sept. 18.” This was reportedly due to a “bridge replacement project.” Furthermore, the statement noted that a contractor “was in the process of demolishing the bridge” when the collapse occurred.
“We will share more information with the public as it becomes available,” the department’s statement concluded.
In a subsequent update, the department revealed that an MDOT inspector was on-site when the bridge collapsed. The inspector reportedly was unharmed. However, the MDOT confirmed that “there were fatalities as a result of the accident.”
“…we extend our deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones,” the department’s update read.
More Details On The Victims & What Happens Next
According to WJTV, the Strong River Bridge collapsed on State Route 149 in Simpson County. Work was reportedly being conducted at the site, and Governor Tate Reeves confirmed that three workers had been killed, per USA Today.
“First responders from Simpson SO, Simpson EMA, MEMA, and other state assets have been on the scene at the tragedy that has occurred at the bridge demolition near the Strong River on 149 in Simpson County,” Gov. Reese wrote via a post shared on Facebook. “As of this hour, 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. Please keep the families and coworkers of everyone involved in your prayers…”
The identities of the three men killed have since been revealed as Kevin Malone, Charles Ingleharte, and Charles Badger. Per USA Today, Terry Tutor, the Simpson County coroner, confirmed the men’s identities and explained that they and four other men “were using heavy machinery on the bridge to tear it down when it gave way and plummeted nearly 40 feet.”
Furthermore, the four other men who were injured amid the bridge’s collapse have been reported to be in critical condition.
Per CNN, the Federal Highway Administration is reportedly investigating the collapse “alongside state officials.”
A Train Operator Recently Died Amid A Collision While On The Job
As The Shade Room previously reported, a train crash in New Jersey recently made headlines earlier this week. The incident reportedly left an employee of Alstom Transportation, a contractor with New Jersey Transit, deceased.
Jessica Haley was reportedly operating a train traveling southbound from Trenton on Monday, October 14, when the train collided with a tree. The vessel was reportedly carrying 42 passengers and left 23 with “non-life threatening injuries.”
Subsequently, on Tuesday, October 15, Haley’s family announced their plans to file a wrongful death lawsuit against New Jersey Transit and “other related entities.”
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