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| New pedestrian bridge collapses near Florida International University killing multiple people | New pedestrian bridge collapses near Florida International University killing multiple people |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A new pedestrian bridge near Florida International University (FIU) in Miami has collapsed and killed multiple people, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. | |
| Chaotic footage from the scene showed cars crushed underneath the bridge, and first responders digging through the rubble for survivors. Five to six vehicles were trapped in the collapse, the highway patrol said. | |
| At least one person was rushed to the hospital on a trauma alert, according to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue. | |
| The 174 foot bridge, which was not open, crossed Southwest 8th Street near 109th Avenue and was built with the purpose of allowing students living across the busy roadway to cross safely. | |
| The bridge was under construction at the time of the collapse, and was not set to be opened until 2019. The innovative, cable-supported bridge cost $14.2m to build, according to a fact sheet on FIU's website, and was funded by a grant from the US Department of Transportation. | |
| The university said in a statement that it was "shocked and saddened about the tragic events unfolding on campus". | |
| "At this time we are still involved in rescue efforts and gathering information," the statement said. "We are working closely with authorities and first responders on the scene." | |
| Florida Governor Rick Scott tweeted that he had spoken with Miami-Dade County Police Chief Juan Perez about the collapse, and would be in constant communication with law enforcement throughout the day. | |
| President Donald Trump was also briefed on the situation, according to White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. | |
| "Terrible news coming from Miami as a pedestrian bridge has collapsed at @FIU and multiple deaths are reported," tweeted Florida Senator Marco Rubio. "We will pray for the victims and the entire Panther community". | |
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