Three people were pulled from their cars and saved from drowning after a bridge in Washington state along a heavily traveled commuter route collapsed late Thursday.
The bridge is located on Interstate 5. Washington State Patrol officials said no one was killed in the incident, which could have been sparked by a truck collision, when a driver hit the side of the bridge, Reuters reported. But three were injured, with two hospitalized for hypothermia, Reuters said.
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board was continuing to investigate on Friday.
A witness said in Fox News that he and his wife were just driving along the bridge when it “just disappeared,” and cars plunged 50 feet to the river.
Officials said in a Friday Fox News broadcast that there were signs the bridge could have been a safety issue. Its design was outdated and needed revamping, Fox News reported.
“I’m thankful there were no fatalities,” said Washington Gov. Jay Inslee in a statement, NBC reported. “Witnesses say a truck hit the bridge and caused it to collapse, but an investigation has been launched to confirm that.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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