Bridge collapses into Mississippi River in Minneapolis − 1 August, 2007
MINNEAPOLIS -- At least six people died and dozens more were injured when an interstate bridge collapsed into the Mississippi River during evening rush hour on Wednesday. (Clipped from the Post Bulletin news feed.) Find out more @: http://news.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=2&a=302654
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There were my husband and I, just getting ready to eat some dinner and watch tv, when he flipped to the local news channel. We both almost dropped our plates as we saw the strangest live video footage streaming across our tv screen...a bridge had evidently collapsed and the video showed pictures of cars suspended on the now crooked and mangled bridge, and even more cars floating in the water. All I remember hearing was "Interstate 35W bridge..." and I panicked. We take that bridge all the time, I thought, and so does everyone else who lives in the Cities!
It was somewhat surreal after that moment. James automatically thought of Suzie (my dad's wife) because she had left her cell phone at home and was supposed to have returned from the cities almost an hour prior to the news. Nobody could get a hold of her. My dad had gone camping and was not answering his phone, so I forced myself to calmly leave messages with everyone I knew who might hear from Dad or Suzie first.
Then I called my mom. When she didn't answer I think my heart literally dropped to the soles of my feet. Her happy "leave a message" note blabbed through and I began sobbing as I left her a message demanding that she call me just as soon as she received the message. I have never felt so helpless in all of my life!
I then called Miriam to let her know I was alright because I had a feeling she would be calling as soon as this event hit the national news. Suzie did finally end up calling James and I to let us know that she was alright and that she usually doesn't take that route to get out of the Cities anyway. James finally got a hold of Mom and we found out that her and the rest of the family living there were alright.
I know that this incident is nowhere near the devastation from 9/11, but because it was so close to home it certainly took my breath away. I wouldn't know what to do without these special people in my life. It just would not be the same. Thank you, Jesus, for faithfully protecting my family and friends everyday. Please be with the people who were injured and the families and friends who lost loved ones in this tragic event. Amen.
Video:
The Damage
The Aftermath
Pictures:
**********
There were my husband and I, just getting ready to eat some dinner and watch tv, when he flipped to the local news channel. We both almost dropped our plates as we saw the strangest live video footage streaming across our tv screen...a bridge had evidently collapsed and the video showed pictures of cars suspended on the now crooked and mangled bridge, and even more cars floating in the water. All I remember hearing was "Interstate 35W bridge..." and I panicked. We take that bridge all the time, I thought, and so does everyone else who lives in the Cities!
It was somewhat surreal after that moment. James automatically thought of Suzie (my dad's wife) because she had left her cell phone at home and was supposed to have returned from the cities almost an hour prior to the news. Nobody could get a hold of her. My dad had gone camping and was not answering his phone, so I forced myself to calmly leave messages with everyone I knew who might hear from Dad or Suzie first.
Then I called my mom. When she didn't answer I think my heart literally dropped to the soles of my feet. Her happy "leave a message" note blabbed through and I began sobbing as I left her a message demanding that she call me just as soon as she received the message. I have never felt so helpless in all of my life!
I then called Miriam to let her know I was alright because I had a feeling she would be calling as soon as this event hit the national news. Suzie did finally end up calling James and I to let us know that she was alright and that she usually doesn't take that route to get out of the Cities anyway. James finally got a hold of Mom and we found out that her and the rest of the family living there were alright.
I know that this incident is nowhere near the devastation from 9/11, but because it was so close to home it certainly took my breath away. I wouldn't know what to do without these special people in my life. It just would not be the same. Thank you, Jesus, for faithfully protecting my family and friends everyday. Please be with the people who were injured and the families and friends who lost loved ones in this tragic event. Amen.
Video:
The Damage
The Aftermath
Pictures:
