‘Several killed’ in new Miami bridge collapse
PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY WAS UNOPENED
A NEW pedestrian bridge collapsed on to a road at a Miami-area college yesterday, crushing at least five vehicles under huge slabs and killing several people, authorities said.
Several people were seen being loaded into ambulances and authorities launched search and rescue missions. Florida Highway Patrol Lieutenant Alejandro Camacho told CBS News that there were ‘several fatalities.’
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue tweeted that ‘multiple’ people were injured when the Florida International University bridge collapsed.
Authorities said they were working on confirming the numbers.
The bridge was still under construction and expected to open to foot traffic next year.
“We are shocked and saddened about the tragic events unfolding at the FIU-Sweetwater pedestrian bridge. At this time we are still involved in rescue efforts and gathering information,” the statement said. The $14.2m (£10.1m) bridge crossed over a busy sevenlane highway that divided the university’s campus from the city of Sweetwater.
The 950-ton span was installed on Saturday to great fanfare. The main part of the 174-foot span was assembled by the side of the road and had to be moved into place.
The ‘accelerated bridge construction’ method was supposed to reduce risks to workers and pedestrians and minimise traffic disruption, the university said.
MCM, the Miami-based construction management firm that won the bridge contract, took its website down yesterday.
But an archived version of the website featured a news release touting the project.
MCM said on Twitter: “We will conduct a full investigation to determine exactly what went wrong.”