![]() Webbers Falls is on the north side of I-40 as it crosses the Kerr Reservoir. The event occured on one of the busiest travel days of the year (Memorial Day), as families were travelling to favorite vacation spots for the weekend. The river has been closed for three miles on either side of the stricken bridge to keep the area clear for recovery efforts and because "we're not sure of the structural integrity of it," Magnino said.This beautiful memorial honoring the fourteen victims of I-40 Bridge Collapse is located at the Webbers Falls Historic Park. The Department of Public Safety released a phone number for people seeking alternate routes: 405 425-2385. "They heard no general alarm, and they heard no collision whistle."Ĭars and trucks were being routed around the heavily traveled interstate section. "They heard no change in the engine power or attempt to go into reverse before impact," he said. NTSB's George Black said the crash came as a surprise to the crew. He told authorities he lost consciousness just before the accident. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board have been interviewing the towboat's pilot, Joe Dedmon, 61, of Florence, Alabama. Natalie Magnino said the 1994 steering problem was caused by debris that got caught in the rudder and did not result from mechanical failure or pilot error. ![]() It also had a steering problem in another incident, he said without elaborating.Ĭoast Guard Lt. Love, lost control and struck the Eads Bridge in St. Jim McPherson said the boat, the Robert Y. ![]() Meanwhile, a Coast Guard spokesman said Tuesday the towboat pushing the barge had steering problems twice before.Ĭmdr. They also were using sonar to map the riverbed. Recovery teams were using a clamshell - a dredging bucket attached to a crane - to retrieve debris and vehicles, West said.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |