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Community => Watto's Junk Yard => Topic started by: Matt on August 1, 2007, 08:03 PM

Title: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: Matt on August 1, 2007, 08:03 PM
Freeway bridge collapses into river during rush hour in Minneapolis (http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/08/01/bridge.collapse.ap/index.html)

Two of our local stations broke into their regular programming to air footage from the TV stations up there, and it looks, really, really bad.

Part of a bridge on an interstate collapsed here a few years ago, and fourteen people died as a result, and this looks much, much worse than that.

Hope all you Twin Cities guys and your friends and families are safe. . . 


Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: Rob on August 1, 2007, 08:07 PM
One in St. Pete collapsed when I was a infant - it was over the water... a huge mess.

Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: Brian on August 1, 2007, 09:10 PM
Yeah, we've been watching the coverage here now too - hope all of our Minnesota friends/families are ok.  My brother-in-law is up there on business this week, and was heading to the Twins game with coworkers tonight - and my sister in law hasn't heard from him yet and can't get a hold of him.  We're really praying that things are ok with them as well.  I haven't been to a Twins game, but I'm thinking maybe (hopefully) cell reception isn't the best in the dome and that's why we can't get through to him right now.  Prayers to everyone in Minneapolis now though, most definitely.
Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: Jayson on August 1, 2007, 09:14 PM
Cell phone lines are pretty clogged right now with people trying to contact family and friends.. not to mention the emergency cell traffic. News and authorities request to keep cell lines clear.
Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: Nicklab on August 1, 2007, 09:18 PM
Hope all of you Minnesota guys are alright.  This appears to be a major catastrophe.
Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: Deanpaul on August 1, 2007, 09:25 PM
I still have my MN mobile number even though we live out of state now, and my line isn't working for now because of call volume.

I know that bridge and area really well, thoughts with all of those involved.
Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: Dan on August 1, 2007, 09:46 PM
The construction on it has been really heavy with 2 lanes out, so I have been taking the other bridge you see in the photos (10th st). I went by about 10 minutes before it went down. It's hard to imagine how terrifying that must have been for those people-
Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: JesseVader08 on August 1, 2007, 09:52 PM
Yikes, happening during rush hour -- scary thought to the number of injured.  My thoughts go to those trying to find their families safe and sound.
Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: Jeff on August 1, 2007, 09:55 PM
I haven't been to a Twins game, but I'm thinking maybe (hopefully) cell reception isn't the best in the dome and that's why we can't get through to him right now.

Like Jay said, cell phones are really hit-or-miss at the moment here now due to volume.  The game is still going on as they decided to keep those 20k people in the dome rather than release them to the highways, which are really, really backed up.

I know tons of people who use that bridge everyday, hopes and prayers that they are all right.  They are only reporting 1 fatality at the hospitals so far, but that does not include those who were dead at the scene.    :-\

Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: Darth Kenobi on August 1, 2007, 10:27 PM
My thoughts and prays go out to all of those involve in this tradgey.  Hope all of our Minn. members are okay.  The Gov. had just confirmed 6 dead and listening to the news reports out here on the west (CNN and Fox) there are alot more cars in the river. 
Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: P-Siddy on August 1, 2007, 10:44 PM
That's scary. I managed to call a friend that works at the U and she's okay, plus hearing from most of you Twin Cities guys, so that puts me at ease a bit. But seeing that bridge... that's scary, especially thinking it could be me on some bridge elsewhere. I guess the news reports said 3 out of 4 lanes were closed down due to construction so it could have been a lot worse.
Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: JediMoses on August 1, 2007, 11:13 PM
Dan, I am glad to hear you are okay, along with the rest of the MN crew so far. 

This is truly unbelievable.  I have crossed that span hundreds of times and never gave it a second thought. 

I will be amazed if the death total does not increase significantly overnight, with the reports of dozens of cars in the water.  can only pray that it is an overstatement or that folks some managed to get free.

Brian, let us know when you hear from your brother-in-law.   
Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: P-Siddy on August 1, 2007, 11:18 PM
The freaky thing about the day was after this happened, the sky got murky and brown to the north and then the heavy rains... one of my friends commented that the apocolypse was nigh.

And I thought of The Mothman Prophecies, too. Sadly, this isn't a movie.
Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: BrentS on August 1, 2007, 11:20 PM
Scary ****....  my thoughts and prayers with everyone up there.
Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: JediJman on August 1, 2007, 11:40 PM
Thanks for all the prayers and good thoughts.  So far, we don't know of anyone in the Mpls clan or their friends & family who were injured, which is great news.  Local news said there was a fatality - CNN is reporting at least 3 fatalities, but hopefully they've got their numbers mixed up.  The devastation they're showing on the news is mind boggling - I can't even imagine what those people went thru.
Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: Scott on August 1, 2007, 11:45 PM
My whole family is safe...my brother and wife were on their way to the Twins game tonight though on 35W heading south when it happened though.  They were about a mile or so away from the bridge.  I drive that bridge regularly on my way to my brothers and used to drive it all the time when we lived in the Cities and when I went to the U.  I just am in utter shock that this whole thing has happened and my thoughts and prayers are with the innocent victims :-[
Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: Tracy on August 2, 2007, 07:30 AM
Scott -- glad to hear that you and your family are safe, as well as friends and family of other JDers.  I can't imagine how horrible or frightening it must have been for the victims and now their families.  I had nightmares thinking of being on that bridge with my 2 small children.  My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families.
Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: iFett on August 2, 2007, 07:30 AM
I live on the east side and I've only been to Minneapolis a handful of times so I was far away.  Quite the 9/11ish type of event....1 death and 20 still missing.  The rescue recovery op starts at 7:30 this morning.   :'(


Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: Brian on August 2, 2007, 09:06 AM
Good to hear that everyone is safe, and hopefully the fatality numbers reported on the news don't get any worse than they already are.  We eventually heard from my brother-in-law, and he was ok (at the game actually when we were trying to call him).  Apparently one of the guys along on this work trip had to go back to their hotel for something, so they ended up getting there about 15 minutes after it happened.  He said they probably would have been on it if that hadn't happened.  Anyways, glad to hear everyone here is ok - thoughts and prayers to everyone in Minneapolis, particularly any victim's families.
Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: P-Siddy on August 2, 2007, 08:51 PM
A coworker's nephew was on the bridge just before it collapsed. He was literally the last car across. She said he hard a loud bang, like thunder, felt the road move a bit, checked his mirror and the red car that had been behind him had disappeared! Talk about lucky!
Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: CHEWIE on August 3, 2007, 12:41 PM
How unbelievably terrible... I hope they find some more survivors.   :-\

 :P
Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: brian_peppers on August 3, 2007, 03:14 PM
It happened on my birthday  :(
Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: JediJman on August 3, 2007, 05:10 PM
How unbelievably terrible... I hope they find some more survivors.   :-\

 :P

Pretty unlikely at this point.  They've converted from rescue operations to recovery operations.  I heard on the news that they're using sonar to locate cars in the water and divers can get to them, but visability in the water is only 6-12 inches, so they can't see anything.  On top of that, parts of the bridge are still falling, so its a major hazard to the recovery teams.   :P
Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: Matt_Fury on August 3, 2007, 05:58 PM
Amazing that with how crowded the bridge was that so far, only 8 people have been killed.  I'm also just so proud to be an American seeing how everyone there came out to help everyone.
Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: Reid on August 3, 2007, 06:23 PM
Scary stuff, my condolences to those affected by this.
Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: Deanpaul on August 3, 2007, 06:25 PM
I'm also just so proud to be an American seeing how everyone there came out to help everyone.

You're right, people never help each other in other countries.
Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: Dressel Rebel on August 3, 2007, 07:44 PM
You're right, people never help each other in other countries.

 ::)


I think Matt Fury was simply trying to say that his fellow Americans made him proud with their bravery and heroism in the face of such a disaster.  That's not to imply people in other countries wouldn't respond in the same way if faced with an identical situation.

Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: blimpyboy on August 4, 2007, 10:55 AM
You're right, people never help each other in other countries.

 ::)


I think Matt Fury was simply trying to say that his fellow Americans made him proud with their bravery and heroism in the face of such a disaster.  That's not to imply people in other countries wouldn't respond in the same way if faced with an identical situation.



Exactly.  Especially since some people like Michael Moore like to poo-poo Americans for not looking out for each other and having an "every man for himself" mentality - events such as this one and 9/11 proved that to be far from reality.

Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: Deanpaul on August 4, 2007, 04:10 PM
You're right, people never help each other in other countries.

 ::)

I think Matt Fury was simply trying to say that his fellow Americans made him proud with their bravery and heroism in the face of such a disaster.  That's not to imply people in other countries wouldn't respond in the same way if faced with an identical situation.

He's fortunate to have you to interpret for him then because that isn't what he wrote.


Exactly.  Especially since some people like Michael Moore like to poo-poo Americans for not looking out for each other and having an "every man for himself" mentality - events such as this one and 9/11 proved that to be far from reality.

Wow, dragging Michael Moore and 9/11 into a thread about bridge collapse?  Why don't you throw some general vague references to the deceased Saddam Hussein for good measure?

I'm not "poo-pooing" Americans looking out for each other, just observing that it isn't a uniquely American characteristic worth tying to ones patriotism through jingoistic rah rah speak about ordinary people helping ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.

And despite Chewie's naivety, they're not pulling anyone else alive out of that mess.  It's been called recovery (not rescue) since the morning after it happened.


Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: Chris on August 4, 2007, 04:15 PM
Make sure you remember to keep the politics aspect out of this thread and in the new forum, if you so wish.
Title: Re: Minneapolis Bridge Collapse
Post by: Dressel Rebel on August 4, 2007, 04:20 PM


He's fortunate to have you to interpret for him then because that isn't what he wrote.


No, you're confused as usual.  That is what he wrote.  The only person who mentioned other countries was you, Matt made no reference.  You inferred it, incorrectly; Matt made no mention.



And despite Chewie's naivety, they're not pulling anyone else alive out of that mess.  It's been called recovery (not rescue) since the morning after it happened.


It's true that they're not pulling anyone out alive, but you're wrong again because what CHEWIE said is still possible.  For example, one lady they thought was dead and who's body they were looking for, they wound up locating at her job and she was okay.  Therefore, they did find a survivor, did they not?