Thursday, August 02, 2007

Bridge Collapse



I had planned on something more joyful for today. But! As many of you know and who have written to me offline, at 6:05 pm on August 1st the Interstate 35W bridge that spanned the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota unexpectedly collapsed, plunging into the river many cars that were navigating rush hour traffic. Rescue and recovery operations on many different levels: emergency personnel, hospitals, medical and rescue teams, sprang into action. Private citizens who were passersby also helped in the life-saving efforts. As of midnight 7 people have been reported dead from drowning and blunt force trauma, and 50 cars have been already searched. The Twin Cities metropolitan area has been traumatized by the tragedy which may worsen after rescue efforts are resumed in the morning. The Minnesota bloggers and their families whom you have met online here, Carol,Chris and Deb, Steve (Slinger) and I are all safe. Keep all the other victims who have been hurt and injured as well those who have died in your thoughts and hearts.



34 comments:

  1. Anonymous12:39 AM

    I am grateful to hear those we know from CDP are safe and am full of sorrow for the city's trauma and loss. Listening to the news is one thing, but a connection like this one makes me feel this devastating news even more deeply. Take care,

    Zanabel

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  2. Thank you so much for the update Kate. I heard about the tragedy on the radio tonight. I immediately thought of my relatives and my special friends in the blogging world. I am grateful my family and bloggers are safe but so sorry for the people that are involved. My prayers and thoughts are with all of you.

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  3. Dear kate...I am so glad that you are all safe. I had not had the TV on and first learned of this horrible event when I visited Carol's blog. You all, those who lost loved ones, and your city are in my thoughts and prayers.

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  4. It's tough to watch this being so close to home. It's going to take a couple years for that part of the city to recover.

    I'm still in disbelief

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  5. I am happy that you are all safe! I havent heard about the accident so it was shocking to see it on your site.

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  6. Have just arrived home & caught the early news - how devastatng! Am so glad you don't know anyone that was hurt. They are saying here there are 20 missing and 9 dead and it is sure to rise. Our thoughts are with all those involved.

    I had posted a photo of my dog today after your post yesterday inspired me but like you it seems not important now.

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  7. Glad to hear the cdp's are ok. What a horrible incident.

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  8. Awful, awful news! So glad you are all safe, sad for the ones who lost their lives or loved ones.

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  9. My heart and my prayers are with you and your cities tonight. I spent four hours watching the TV coverage in a state of horror and shock.

    I live in Oregon and I've no connection to your area other than simple human compassion and empathy. My heart is breaking for the families who are impacted by this.

    I found your blog when Googling for images for the post I wrote mentioning the tragedy. I am going to post one of the pics you have here with a credit and link back to you. But if you object, let me know in comments and I will remove it.

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  10. This is a tragedy. My thoughts are with you all and other victims.

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  11. I heard what happened this morning at news coming to work. It's a relief to read that are you all safe. At the other side it's so sad to read news online on what happened to those persons died and injuried there.

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  12. This tragedy was also "first news" on French TV and radio! I'm happy to see that nobody in your or our closest cercle has been touched. When you see the pictures it's actually a miracle if so relatively few people were killed (hoping that the list will not increase too much; last time I listened I heard about 9 victims).

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  13. Anonymous5:19 AM

    It was a tragic event that I watched, spellbound, on television yesterday for several hours. I am glad you CDP friends are "all" safe and sound.

    Brookville Daily Photo

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  14. This is very challenging for all you folk, have courage.

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  15. What a tragedy. Awlful.

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  16. je viens d'apprendre cela par les informations françaises, bonjour tristesse. la ville doit etre traumatisée.

    I have just learned that by French information, hello sadness. the city must be traumatize.

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  17. Such a thing is always a shock. Glad you are safe.

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  18. All of you and all of the rest are in my heart today. My first thought, when I heard the news, was of you and Carol and Deb and Chris and Slinger.

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  19. We are all shocked and saddened by your great tragedy. Your area will be in our thoughts and prayers.
    --steve buser
    New Orleans Daily Photo

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  20. So good to know all the CDP bloggers - you, Chris and Deb, Carol and Slinger are safe. What a terrible tragedy.

    It's impossible to comprehend what it must have been like. My thoughts are with all those who are involved in this horror.

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  21. I watch TV this morning and shock, but I'm glad that you guys CDP are safe over there.

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  22. I'm relieved you and the other MN/St.Paul bloggers are OK - my heart aches for your city and all who were lost.

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  23. A few weeks ago, when a bridge collapsed in China I thought that something like that could never happen in North America...

    A big hug.

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  24. I am grateful as well that our CDP family is safe....I remember well the Silver Bridge that collapsed in Point Pleasant, WV in May, 1967.(My dad worked recovery on that one). It altered how I viewed bridges my entire life and now this....sigh....

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  25. I heard of it sometimes yesterday in the evening - I immediately thought of you & people that you must know there.
    I'm glad that so far nobody close to you seems to have been involved.
    It will be a long time getting things back to normal - good luck!
    Nice photojournalism, too.

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  26. I thought of you immediately when I saw yesterday on TV the horrific accident in Mississippi River in Minneapolis. What a terrible tragedy. I am glad that you and your CDP friends are safe. I am so sorry for all the victims.

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  27. Kate - what an awaful thing to watch. I've been watching KSTP in a webcast in the background of my computer all day. Glad to see that you and all of the CDP folks are safe!

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  28. Thinking of you, your city, and those who were on the bridge when it collapsed. How frightening that must of been.

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  29. Appreciate the photos but so sorry for such a tragedy. Glad you are okay.

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  30. Am so glad that you are all safe. Awful news.

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  31. You have been in my thoughts ever since I heard of the tragedy. Just awful. Vienna had a bridge over the Danube collapse about thirty years ago.

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  32. Oh sooo glad to hear that you folks are all safe. I thought of you right away.. My relatives that live in Minneapolis are AOK as well.. My gosh what a scary thing... aloha, Renee :)

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  33. Such a terrible tragedy. Though in a way it is amazing that more people weren't killed - so many cars went into the river. I'm sure a lot of the survivors are feeling very lucky today.

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  34. The news shocked me... I have friends in Minneapolis and was really worried. Luckily all is well with them. Not all are that lucky, and I feel so bad for those that lost their lives here, or lost their loved ones. :(

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