Disasters

August 2, 2007 12:47 PM

Why did the I-35W bridge collapse?

Minnesota officials were warned as early as 1990 that the bridge that collapsed into the Mississippi River was “structurally deficient,” yet they relied on patchwork repairs and stepped-up inspections that unraveled amid a thunderous plunge of concrete and automobiles.

by Elizabeth Stawicki

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August 2, 2007 3:55 AM

Many still missing

Area hospitals may have seen the last of the injured survivors. Rescue teams said most of the injured were brought in within an hour of the collapse. Dozens of worried relatives are searching for the missing.

by Jessica Mador

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August 2, 2007 3:23 AM

Survivors, witnesses tell of escapes, rescues at bridge collapse

Quick response by fire and police crews, and passersby, helped keep the death toll down. For many, their safety was a matter of luck.

by Annie Baxter

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August 2, 2007 3:02 AM

As tragic as it was, bridge disaster could have been worse

One of the most horrifying images from the bridge collapse may have been the sight of a yellow school bus stranded on a section of the bridge. Dozens of Minneapolis school children were returning from a field trip when the bridge fell.

by Marisa Helms

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August 2, 2007 2:49 AM

Collapse mystifies officials, experts

Gov. Tim Pawlenty says two state inspections in the past two years found no structural problems with the bridge that collapsed.

by Elizabeth Stawicki

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August 2, 2007 2:19 AM

Emergency plans pay off

Search-and-rescue units from across the metro area reacted swiftly to the scene. They provided fire, paramedic and water rescue to help with the scene.

by Tom Scheck

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August 2, 2007 1:12 AM

Images from the collapse

MPR reporters and audience members have been submitting images from the bridge collapse. We've selected the best for this slideshow.

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August 2, 2007 12:27 AM

Four confirmed dead in I-35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis

The morning after an interstate bridge collapsed into the Mississippi River, authorities lowered the number of confirmed fatalities to four, but said they expect the number to change throughout the day.

by Lorna Benson