This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/bridge-collapse-miami-casualties-people-trapped-florida-international-university-a8258141.html

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
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.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. Chaotic footage from the scene showed cars crushed underneath the 950-ton bridge, as first responders dug 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.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 open until 2019. It was not immediately clear what had triggered the collapse.
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. Ciqué Philips, a student transferring to the school, was on the fourth floor of a nearby parking garage when the collapse happened.
“The sound was thundering," he told The Independent. "Like an extremely loud boom.”
The university said in a statement that it was "shocked and saddened about the tragic events unfolding on campus".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.""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.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.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"."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".
More follows… The National Transportation Safety Board said it would send an investigative team to look into the collapse.
The bridge crossed Southwest 8th Street near 109th Avenue, and was in high demand from students living the neighbouring suburban city of Sweetwater. It was intended to give Sweetwater residents safe passage over the busy street separating them from campus.  
The bridge was constructed using innovative new technology, which was thought to lower the risk to workers and pedestrians. The entire 174-ft walkway was installed in one fell swoop on Saturday, when a special crane picked it up, moved it, and lowered it into place. A number of community members came out to watch the installation.
The entire project cost approximately $14.2m, according to a fact sheet on FIU's website, and was funded by a grant from the US Department of Transportation.