In Minnesota, an interstate bridge collapses at the height of evening rush hour, sweeping dozens of cars into the Mississippi River and killing several people
Living Nightmare
On August 1, 2007, at 6:05 PM local time, the Interstate 35W bridge inMinneapolis, Minnesota, splintered and collapsed into the Mississippi Riverduring rush hour traffic, plunging dozens of cars and tons of concrete andmetal into the water below.Peter Matthews / Polaris
Lucky
A man checks on a driver after the collapse. "It looked like a terroristattack," Ryan Murphey, a Minneapolis resident, told the Star Tribune. "Buteveryone was very calm and organized."Heather Munro / Polaris
Night Rescue
Rain started to fall over the wreckage as the recovery effort continued wellinto the night. The search resumed at daylight on Thursday.Bryan C. Singer / Polaris
In the Wreckage
A rescue worker negotiates a path through the rubble to an injured woman. Bythe time the rescue effort was called off by 1:00 AM, at least four peoplewere reported dead and 60 had been taken to hospitals.Minneapolis Star Tribune / MCT / Landov
Chaos
The 40-year-old bridge, stretching about 1,900 ft. across the river, had been undergoing repairs this week, and wasscheduled for inspection this fall. Initial statements from the UnitedStates Department of Homeland Security has ruled out terrorism as a cause.Stacy Bengs / The Minnesota Daily / AP
Desperate Search
A rescue worker looks for a victim in a half-submerged car. Divers huntedfor survivors in the water until the rescue was temporarily called off, butauthorities believed several cars were still submerged and expectedcasualties to increase on Thursday.Minneapolis Star Tribune / MCT / Landov
Devastated
"This is a catastrophe of historic proportions for Minnesota," said GovernorTim Pawlenty said at a news conference after the collapse.Minneapolis Star Tribune / MCT / Landov
Aid
A police officer helps a woman injured in the collapse. "I clearly recallhorns honking. I was screaming. We were trying to call 911 on ourcellphones," an eyewitness later told the New York Times.Minneapolis Star Tribune / MCT / Landov
Precipice
Vehicles that did not plunge into the water were stuck on the cliff-likeedges of the broken roadway. Authorities believed many travelers were on theirway to a Minnesota Twins game nearby. After coordinating with safetyworkers, team officials decided to carry on with the baseball game so that fans' vehicles would not hamper rescue efforts.Peter Matthews / Polaris
Injured
A victim waits for help after the collapse. By nightfall, police chaplainsand Red Cross workers gathered at a nearby Holiday Inn to meet with peoplelooking for victims and survivors.Stacy Bengs / The Minnesota Daily / AP
