Surviving a Baltimore Bridge Collapse: A First-Hand Account

The recent collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has brought back haunting memories for survivors of previous bridge collapses. Linda Paul, Jessie Shelton, and Gustavo Morales Jr. shared their harrowing experiences of the Interstate 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis in 2007, the Minnesota bridge collapse, and the Queen Isabella Causeway collapse in Texas in 2001, respectively.

Linda Paul, who survived the Minneapolis bridge collapse, recalled being stuck on the bridge and realizing that it was going down. She plunged down a 50-foot slope in her minivan as the collapse killed 13 people. Jessie Shelton, who was knocked unconscious in the Minnesota collapse, miraculously survived with injuries that broke her back in four spots. Gustavo Morales Jr., who fell into the water in Texas after a bridge collapse, credits wearing a seatbelt and escaping through a hand-cranked window for his survival.

Garrett Ebling, another survivor of the Minneapolis bridge collapse, expressed his concerns about the recent collapse in Baltimore where six people remain missing and presumed dead. He emphasized the importance of preventing such accidents in the future and highlighted the need for accountability in ensuring bridge safety.

The survivors’ stories serve as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with bridge collapses and the importance of prioritizing safety measures to prevent such tragic incidents. The first published date of the article is 28 Mar 2024, 10:59 AM IST.