In a tragic incident, at least three people have lost their lives, and four others have been critically injured after a bridge collapsed in Mississippi on Wednesday afternoon. The bridge collapse occurred while construction work was underway at the site, according to Simpson County Sheriff Paul Mullins.
Reports from WLBT-TV confirmed the three fatalities and four severe injuries. Emergency responders, including the Simpson County coroner’s office, were quick to arrive at the scene following the collapse. However, further details about the victims and the extent of the injuries sustained have not yet been disclosed, as stated by WJTV-TV.
The bridge, located over the Strong River on State Route 149 in Simpson County, had been closed to traffic since September 18 as part of a scheduled demolition and replacement project managed by contractor T.L. Wallace Construction. The cause of the collapse is currently under investigation, and information regarding the specific circumstances leading to the incident remains limited.
The Mississippi Department of Transportation released a statement addressing the tragic event, ensuring that more information will be shared with the public as soon as it becomes available. The department indicated that one of its inspectors was present at the construction site during the collapse and fortunately remained unharmed.
Efforts to reach out to Sheriff Mullins, the Simpson County coroner Terry Tutor, and T.L. Wallace Construction for further comments have so far been unsuccessful. Authorities are working diligently to gather more details about the incident and provide support to all those affected by this devastating bridge collapse.