Demolition prep collapses Mississippi bridge, kills three

Three people were killed and four were seriously injured Wednesday when a bridge in Mississippi collapsed while a work crew was preparing it for demolition, authorities reported.

The bridge over the Strong River on State Route 149 in Simpson County, located about 40 miles south of Jackson, had been closed to traffic since Sept. 18 due to a replacement project, according to the Mississippi Department of Transportation.

Gov. Tate Reeves confirmed the tragedy on social media, stating that first responders from the county and other state resources were on the scene, where they had confirmed three fatalities and multiple injuries.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also addressed the incident on social media, noting that the Federal Highway Administration was “engaging state officials concerning” the “premature collapse during demolition of a bridge on State Route 149 in Mississippi.”

Newsweek has reached out the Mississippi Department of Transportation for comment via email.

Simpson County Sheriff Paul Mullins reported that three people were killed and four critically injured. Terry Tutor, the Simpson County coroner, told the New York Times that seven men were working on the bridge with heavy machinery when it collapsed, plummeting nearly 40 feet. Tutor confirmed that three of the men died, while four sustained injuries.

Mullins and Tutor did not immediately respond to requests for further information from The Associated Press. Attempts to reach T.L. Wallace Construction, the construction company involved, were unsuccessful, as calls went unanswered. The construction firm has also been asked to comment by Newsweek through email.

Department of Transportation spokesperson Anna Ehrgott indicated that his office would provide more details to the public as they became available. According to the department, one of its inspectors was present at the work site during the bridge collapse and was unharmed.

This incident raises concerns regarding safety protocols and inspections during bridge demolition projects. As investigations continue, local authorities and federal officials are due to examine the circumstances that led to the bridge’s failure, including the safety measures in place at the time of the collapse.

As the community mourns the loss of life and the injuries sustained during this tragic event, questions remain about how such a devastating incident could occur during a planned demolition.

As details emerge, the focus for the authorities will be on ensuring the safety of construction crews, preventing similar incidents in the future and providing support to the families of the dead and injured.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press