Living Nightmare
On August 1, 2007, at 6:05 PM local time, the Interstate 35W bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota, splintered and collapsed into the Mississippi River during rush hour traffic, plunging dozens of cars and tons of concrete and metal into the water below.
Night Rescue
Rain started to fall over the wreckage as the recovery effort continued well into the night. The search resumed at daylight on Thursday.
In the Wreckage
A rescue worker negotiates a path through the rubble to an injured woman. By the time the rescue effort was called off by 1:00 AM, at least four people were reported dead and 60 had been taken to hospitals.
Chaos
The 40-year-old bridge, stretching about 1,900 ft. across the river between Minneapolis and St. Paul, had been undergoing repairs this week, and was scheduled for inspection this fall. Initial statements from the United States Department of Homeland Security has ruled out terrorism as a cause.
Desperate Search
A rescue worker looks for a victim in a half-submerged car. Divers hunted for survivors in the water until the rescue was temporarily called off, but authorities believed several cars were still submerged and expected casualties to increase on Thursday.
Devastated
"This is a catastrophe of historic proportions for Minnesota," said Governor Tim Pawlenty said at a news conference after the collapse.
Aid
A police officer helps a woman injured in the collapse. "I clearly recall horns honking. I was screaming. We were trying to call 911 on our cellphones," an eyewitness later told the New York Times.
Precipice
Vehicles that did not plunge into the water were stuck on the cliff-like edges of the broken roadway. Authorities believed many travelers were on their way to a Minnesota Twins game nearby. After coordinating with safety workers, team officials decided to carry on with the baseball game so that fans' vehicles would not hamper rescue efforts.
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