Three construction company employees are in critical condition in hospital following the collapse of a bridge in rural Mississippi, which also resulted in the tragic deaths of three of their co-workers. The incident occurred as the workers were preparing the bridge for demolition in a rural area of central Mississippi, according to Simpson County Sheriff Paul Mullins.
The bridge, located over the Strong River on state Route 149 in Simpson County, had been shut down for traffic since September 18 as part of a project to replace the structure, as reported by the Mississippi Department of Transportation. The workers affected were all employed by T.L. Wallace Construction, based in Columbia, Mississippi. The Associated Press attempted to reach out to the company for comments on the incident.
Simpson County Coroner Terry Tutor mentioned that efforts were underway to notify the families of the deceased workers. Meanwhile, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated on social media that the Federal Highway Administration was working with state officials to investigate the premature collapse during the demolition of the bridge.
Republican U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith expressed her condolences, calling the bridge collapse a tragic event and stressing the importance of understanding the causes to prevent such incidents in the future. The Mississippi Department of Transportation confirmed that one of its inspectors was present at the site during the collapse and remained unharmed.
The bridge collapse in Mississippi highlights the dangers faced by workers in the construction industry and raises questions about safety protocols and regulatory oversight in such projects. It serves as a sobering reminder of the risks inherent in infrastructure-related work and the need for thorough investigations to prevent similar tragedies from occurring.