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US road bridge collapse in Washington 'caused by lorry' US road bridge collapse in Washington 'caused by lorry'
(35 minutes later)
A road bridge collapsed into the Skagit river in the north-western US state of Washington after its span was hit by an oversize lorry, said officials. A road bridge collapsed into the Skagit river in the north-western US state of Washington after a girder was hit by an oversize lorry, said officials.
Vehicles and people were thrown into the water after part of the Interstate 5 highway crumbled on Thursday evening.Vehicles and people were thrown into the water after part of the Interstate 5 highway crumbled on Thursday evening.
State officials said three people were rescued and there were no fatalities.State officials said three people were rescued and there were no fatalities.
The four-lane bridge is near Mount Vernon, on the main route between the state's main city, Seattle, and the Canadian city of Vancouver.The four-lane bridge is near Mount Vernon, on the main route between the state's main city, Seattle, and the Canadian city of Vancouver.
"For reasons unknown at this point in time the semi [lorry] struck the overhead of the bridge causing the collapse," Washington State Patrol chief John Batiste told an overnight news conference. The lorry was hauling drilling equipment that was too tall, and the top right corner at the front of the load hit several of the bridge's trusses, Washington State Patrol trooper Mark Francis told the Skagit Valley Herald.
The 44-year-old driver was working for Mullen Trucking in Alberta, Canada, it said.
The company said it had a permit to transport the equipment across the bridge and had hired a local escort to help with navigation.
'Miracles''Miracles'
The lorry was able to drive off the bridge and the driver waited at the scene for police.The lorry was able to drive off the bridge and the driver waited at the scene for police.
Rescue boats plucked three people the river. Two of those were admitted to hospital with hypothermia, a spokesman for Skagit County told Reuters. Rescue boats plucked three people - Dan Sligh, his wife and another man - out of the river 25ft (7.6m) below.
Dan Sligh, one of those rescued from the water, said the bridge had disappeared in a "big puff of dust". Mr Sligh and his wife were taken to the Skagit Valley Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The other man was in a stable condition at Sedro-Woolley's United General Hospital, the facility's chief executive said.
Mr Sligh said the bridge had disappeared in a "big puff of dust".
"When the dust hit I saw the bridge start to fall," he said. "At that point forward momentum just carried us over and as you saw the water approaching it was just one of those [times when] you hold on as tight as you can and I saw just a white flash and cold water."When the dust hit I saw the bridge start to fall," he said. "At that point forward momentum just carried us over and as you saw the water approaching it was just one of those [times when] you hold on as tight as you can and I saw just a white flash and cold water.
"You talk miracles. I don't know what you want to call it. When you're sitting down in the water and there's all that mangled metal and bridge, and you're looking around kind of pinching yourself and realising you're lucky to be alive. It's a pretty amazing day to tell you the truth.""You talk miracles. I don't know what you want to call it. When you're sitting down in the water and there's all that mangled metal and bridge, and you're looking around kind of pinching yourself and realising you're lucky to be alive. It's a pretty amazing day to tell you the truth."
He said he dislocated his shoulder in the fall, but popped it back into place. Mr Sligh and his wife were "belly deep in water in the truck", and he said his wife was in shock as they waited for help.He said he dislocated his shoulder in the fall, but popped it back into place. Mr Sligh and his wife were "belly deep in water in the truck", and he said his wife was in shock as they waited for help.
The Skagit Valley Herald quoted a driver who said he felt a vibration as he crossed the bridge and looked in his rear-view mirror to see that a section was no longer there.The Skagit Valley Herald quoted a driver who said he felt a vibration as he crossed the bridge and looked in his rear-view mirror to see that a section was no longer there.
Bridge recently checkedBridge recently checked
Detours have been put in place around the major thoroughfare 60 miles (96km) north of Seattle. Detours have been put in place around the major thoroughfare 60 miles (96km) north of Seattle, which is reportedly used by about 71,000 vehicles every day.
Highway patrol has advised people to avoid the area if possible, especially over the upcoming bank holiday weekend.Highway patrol has advised people to avoid the area if possible, especially over the upcoming bank holiday weekend.
"Thanks to the rescuers and a little bit of luck," said Washington Governor Jay Inslee, after touring the scene, "we had three Skagitonians who made it out of the Skagit River alive.""Thanks to the rescuers and a little bit of luck," said Washington Governor Jay Inslee, after touring the scene, "we had three Skagitonians who made it out of the Skagit River alive."
Washington state Transport Secretary Lynn Peterson said the bridge had been inspected twice last year and had undergone repairs.Washington state Transport Secretary Lynn Peterson said the bridge had been inspected twice last year and had undergone repairs.
While it was not listed as structurally deficient, the bridge was deemed "functionally obsolete" by the Federal Highway Administration - meaning its design is out of date with narrow shoulders and low clearance below.While it was not listed as structurally deficient, the bridge was deemed "functionally obsolete" by the Federal Highway Administration - meaning its design is out of date with narrow shoulders and low clearance below.
The National Transportation Safety Board has sent a team to investigate.The National Transportation Safety Board has sent a team to investigate.
The bridge was built in 1955, according to the website for the National Bridge Inventory Database.The bridge was built in 1955, according to the website for the National Bridge Inventory Database.
Its sufficiency rating is 57.4 out of 100 - much lower than the state's average rating of 80, the Associated Press reported.Its sufficiency rating is 57.4 out of 100 - much lower than the state's average rating of 80, the Associated Press reported.
In March, President Barack Obama urged US lawmakers to approve $21bn (£14bn) in spending to improve the nation's roads and bridges, describing them as "raggedy".In March, President Barack Obama urged US lawmakers to approve $21bn (£14bn) in spending to improve the nation's roads and bridges, describing them as "raggedy".
In the same month, a report card by the American Society of Civil Engineers awarded the nation's infrastructure a D - one grade above failure.In the same month, a report card by the American Society of Civil Engineers awarded the nation's infrastructure a D - one grade above failure.
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