While some unhinged opportunists immediately blamed the GOP for the Skagit Bridge collapse in Washington state tonight, locals and eyewitnesses claim the catastrophe might have been caused somehow by a truck on scene.
https://twitter.com/FoolishReporter/status/337780438963720192
#BREAKING: First responders: Truck may have hit bridge, causing collapse. Other side of bridge may also be damaged. http://t.co/0n0TojdRSN
— Tim Williams (@realtimwilliams) May 24, 2013
I-5 Bridge collapse: Witness saw oversized load hit bridge girders and girders coming down. Truck is stopped on other side of the bridge.
— EraSeek (@EraSeek) May 24, 2013
2.5 hours ago, oversized/height loaded truck caused bridge collapse according to acting state engineer. #skagitbridge
— Jennifer Thuncher (@Thuncher) May 24, 2013
@NWCN reporting @wsdot confirming bridge was hit by oversized load truck. #i5bridgecollapse
— Carl Setzer (@CarlSetzer) May 24, 2013
https://twitter.com/Simply_KristinP/status/337786198036709376
Here is the truck witnesses say struck the north end of the bridge, triggering the Skagit River Bridge collapse. pic.twitter.com/TGzp3Z8S1z
— Rob Piercy (@robpiercy) May 24, 2013
This bridge collapse in Washington State is making me think of one of the most important things I ever learned: KNOW YOUR TRUCK HEIGHT.
— Robin Campbell (@robinathefirst) May 24, 2013
Witness recounts oversized truck striking bridge http://t.co/RbqXiu8DZX
— Gerhard Swiderski (@gerhardhomes) May 24, 2013
There’s at least one skeptic:
If the truck in the picture is said to have caused the bridge to collapse, BS! That wasn't nearly heavy enough!
— Micky Baker (@MickyBaker1) May 24, 2013
Hmmm:
CHICKEN VS. EGG: Did #I5BRidgeCollapse collapse b/c truck hit bridge…or did truck hit bridge b/c it was COLLAPSING?? #staytuned
— Brian M. Westbrook (@BrianWestbrook) May 24, 2013
Twitchy will continue to monitor and update. Rabid hyperpartisans will continue to find ways to blame the GOP, Tea Party, sequester, and George Bush. Sad.
Update: Some good news …
AP: Washington state authorities say no fatalities in Interstate 5 bridge collapse. http://t.co/KhJeAuUJAh
— KOMO News (@komonews) May 24, 2013
… although here’s a contradictory tweet:
one possible fatality reported in #skagitbridge collapse. divers are set to search the bottom of the river
— gardner minshew's mustache (@likepapercranes) May 24, 2013
Updates on the eyewitness accounts:
https://twitter.com/bmvaughn/status/337785755101450240
https://twitter.com/bmvaughn/status/337794643733397504
@michellemalkin Oy, reckless pilot car. Never thought I'd see that.
— (((Jay Marcus))) (@YaakovMarcus613) May 24, 2013
Witness Dale tells @KING5Seattle he saw oversized load pilot car hit bridge before oversized load truck struck bridge.
— Brian M. Westbrook (@BrianWestbrook) May 24, 2013
.@JakeMilstein says that a pilot car in front of the semi truck appears to have a sign that says "WIDE LOAD."
— KIRO 7 (@KIRO7Seattle) May 24, 2013
@michellemalkin It's being said the truck was following too close behind the pilot car to stop when it indicated it wasn't going to clear.
— NathanInSoCal (@NATHANINSOCAL) May 24, 2013
Hmmm:
https://twitter.com/LastonLastoff/status/337794439818928128
@AP Truck with pilot car being investigated for causing the accident, striking the bridge. Load on truck missing.
— John Meneray (@JOHNNYBRAVO_CDN) May 24, 2013
The trucking company,truck driver an pilot car driver are all screwed for the accident on @WAI5thm #Skagitbridge #I5bridgecollapse
— Corporate Trucking™ (@CorpTrucking) May 24, 2013
Update:
Washington official say oversize truck apparently hit support beam on #SkagitBridge, causing collapse. http://t.co/JsKZw3wfeE
— Jim Roberts (@nycjim) May 24, 2013
Seattlepi.com reports:
Officials have said the oversize truck likely struck a beam supporting the steel bridge, which had not been a structure of concern for regional transportation planners. The bridge was described as “sound and safe” by the state Department of Transportation as recently as 2008. While several other bridges in the area were listed as “structurally deficient” on a 2011 report, the fallen bridge over the Skagit was not among them.
A full investigation will likely take weeks as National Transportation Safety Board investigators do their work.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member