Hero workers ‘saved lives’ with key decision to block traffic moments before Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse
Heroic workers were able to stop additional vehicles from crossing the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the moments before a container ship smashed into it and sent its steel frame crumbling into the Baltimore river, officials revealed.
“The ship issued a mayday loss of power,” Gov. Wes Moore told reporters Tuesday morning.
“The workers on the bridge halted traffic right before impact,” he said. “They saved lives in a very, very heroic way.”
Multiple construction workers were on the bridge at the time of the collapse.
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They were doing repairs that were not related to the structure of the bridge, according to authorities.
Videos show power on the ship flickering off, and then on again, shortly before the crash at around 1:30 a.m.
The MV Dali, a Singapore-flagged container ship, had apparently “lost propulsion” as it was leaving port, at which time crew members warned officials of a possible collision, according to a report from the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency obtained by ABC News.
“The vessel notified Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) that they had lost control of the vessel and an allision with the bridge was possible,” the report said.
Everything you need to know about the Francis Scott Key Bridge's collapse in Baltimore
- The Dali, the Singapore-flagged container ship that smashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore and destroyed it early Tuesday, reportedly lost propulsion and tried to warn officials that it was going to crash, according to a report.
- Six people were unaccounted for, according to authorities. Two people were pulled from the river by rescuers.
- Seven vehicles were missing after falling from the 1.6-mile-long span. Officials are using sonar technology to find the vehicles.
- Videos show power on the ship flickering off, and then on again, shortly before the crash. Watch footage of the bridge’s collapse here.
- A Baltimore resident described how the horrifying collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday caused his entire house to feel like it was falling down.
- The Dali was also involved in a collision while leaving the Port of Antwerp, Belgium, in 2016.
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“The vessel struck the bridge, causing a complete collapse.”
Horrifying footage showed the bridge — a major thoroughfare of Baltimore —breaking apart and sending several vehicles into the frigid Patapsco River early Tuesday morning
The ship also caught fire, sending thick, black smoke billowing across the busy harbor.
At least six people remain unaccounted for in the aftermath.
Two people were pulled from the river by rescuers. One did not need medical attention, but the other is in critical condition, officials said.
Two local pilots were steering ship at the time. The ship was crewed by 22 Indian nationals. All have been accounted for and there are no reports of any injuries, Singapore-based Synergy Marine Group — the company operating the vessel said.
The company said it is investigating the cause of the disaster and cooperating with authorities.
