WORK CREW TRAGEDY: 3 Killed, 4 Injured in Mississippi Bridge Collapse During Demolition Prep

Three people were killed and four were critically injured Wednesday when a bridge in Mississippi that had been closed for nearly a month fell while a work crew was preparing it for demolition, according to authorities.

The bridge over the Strong River on State Route 149 in Simpson County, roughly 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Jackson, has been closed to traffic since September 18 as part of a bridge replacement project, according to a Mississippi Department of Transportation news release.

Gov. Tate Reeves stated in a social media post late Wednesday that first responders from the county and “other state assets have been on the scene at the tragedy,” which has confirmed at least three deaths and several injuries.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated on social media late Wednesday that the Federal Highway Administration is “engaging state officials concerning” the “premature collapse during demolition of a bridge on State Route 149 in Mississippi.” Simpson County Sheriff Paul Mullins informed WLBT-TV that three individuals were killed and four badly injured.

The Simpson County coroner, Terry Tutor, told the New York Times that seven men were working on the bridge, using heavy machinery to tear it down, when it collapsed and fell roughly 40 feet (12 meters). He stated that three guys died and four were injured, according to the Times.

Mullins and Tutor did not immediately respond to The Associated Press’ messages Wednesday night.

A call to T.L. Wallace Construction went unanswered Wednesday evening, and there was no way to leave a note.

According to Department of Transportation spokesperson Anna Ehrgott, the agency “would share more information with the public as it becomes available.”

The department stated that one of its inspectors was at the work site when the bridge collapsed and was unharmed.

Reference:

3 Dead and 4 Injured in Collapse of Mississippi Bridge Being Prepped for Demolition