In the latest revelation, a 20-year-old driver in Baltimore miraculously avoided a catastrophic incident when he drove across a bridge just a few minutes before it collapsed.
After the container ship Dali crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, the bridge completely collapsed, leaving many people on the bridge injured and missing.
The incident took place on the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Fort Armistead, Baltimore.
The driver's mother, Jen Woof, shared the heart-stopping moment from her son.
Her son had just driven over the bridge when he received a frantic message from his girlfriend, asking if he was fine.
Confused by the sudden concern, he asked his girlfriend what happened and then was shocked to learn that the bridge had collapsed.
The driver who narrowly escaped the bridge collapse, along with his family, has expressed immense gratitude for his fortunate timing.
They are undoubtedly relieved that he made it safely across the bridge just moments before its catastrophic collapse.
According to reports, the bridge collapsed due to a collision with a container ship named Dali, which occurred around 1:15 am.
Disturbing footage captured the vessel losing power multiple times before crashing into the bridge, causing it to collapse dramatically.
The ship was originally en route from Baltimore to Colombo, Sri Lanka. After that, the ship started emitting thick black smoke into the dark sky.
It then lost power once more and suddenly turned towards one of the pillars supporting the 180-foot-tall bridge.
When the ship collided with the towering structure, it seemed to lose power for the third time.
As a result, the bridge collapsed dramatically, initially breaking near the support and then in the middle, causing it to become unsteady on its eastern pillar.
Rescue teams immediately rushed to the scene to save the lives of those affected.
The bridge, which stood 180 feet above the Patapsco River, plunged numerous cars into the frigid water.
It is estimated that around a dozen cars and 20 construction workers were present on the bridge at the time of the collapse.
While the exact number of fatalities and missing individuals remains uncertain, authorities confirmed that at least two people were pulled from the water.
The active search and rescue operation by the U.S. Coast Guard for the six missing construction workers after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse has concluded.
Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath, stated that due to the significant amount of time passed since the bridge collapsed and the freezing water temperatures, it is unlikely that any of the individuals will be found alive.
Divers from the rescue team are now focusing on locating the bodies of the missing workers.
One person suffered serious injuries and was rushed to a local hospital for treatment. The search and rescue operation is ongoing, with efforts focused on locating any remaining survivors.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge, named after the writer of the Star-Spangled Banner, is a vital transportation route used by approximately 30,000 vehicles daily.
Its collapse has raised concerns about the structural integrity of bridges across the United States.
Engineers are investigating a potential $3 million structural flaw as the cause of the incident, which has implications for tens of thousands of bridges nationwide.
Authorities are actively investigating the cause of the bridge collapse in Baltimore, they also confirmed that there were no indications of terrorism involved.
Governor Moore expressed gratitude for the ship's crew, who issued a mayday call before the crash.
This call prompted officials to quickly halt traffic on the bridge, preventing more vehicles from being on it during the collapse.
The governor emphasized the importance of this timely action, as it potentially saved lives.
As the investigation progresses, experts will analyze various aspects, including structural integrity, maintenance records, and potential contributing factors.
The goal is to uncover the root cause of the collapse and ensure that such incidents can be prevented in the future, enhancing bridge safety across the region.
