A 40-year-old bridge in Minneapolis collapsed during rush hour traffic dumping cars and other vehicles into the Mississippi River.
At 10 p.m., authorities confirmed seven people had been killed, and more than 30 injured. However, those numbers were expected to rise.
A school bus managed to stop at the edge of the bridge. Passing motorists and others helped get the kids out as a nearby tractor-trailer burned.
Seven area hospitals initiated their disaster plans as they prepared to take patients.
Since many patients are expected to get to the hospitals on their own, officials are unable to determine an exact count of the injured.
Firefighters were working to extinguish vehicle fires.
Three hours into the incident, emergency workers were still searching for victims.
A number of dive teams and rescue boats were in the area assisting victims.
Passing motorists rushed to help the injured.
An official said the scene reminded him of scenes from 9-11 with the sirens screaming, people running and emergency vehicles racing downtown.
Rescue helicopter crews were on the scene quickly to assist with the incident.
Three hours into the incident, Mayor R.T. Rybak said the incident was under control, and confirmed at least six deaths.
People were urged not to use their cellphones unless absolutely necessary.
Police Chief Tim Dolan said officers were securing the area.
Gov. Tim Pawlenty said there was a massive response of EMS, fire, police and other resources from around the state.
The Twin City Red Cross was turned into the command post for EMS, police and others. The 60 students also taken to their parking lot for triage. Ten were taken to te hospital for treatment.
There were tears of sorrow as well as joy. Red Cross is offering a shoulder, and helping people deal with their emotions.
When the hospitals went on alert, additional medical personnel including nurses, doctors and surgeons were standing by.
Stress counselors were already getting organized to help responders and civilians.
Some people went from car top to car top to see if they could help.
In the first moments after the collapse, there was an eerie quiet. Then, there was chaos, a witness said.
The U.S. Coast Guard reported about 50 vehicles may be in the river.
Some rescue workers not wearing diving equipment were observed diving back down after coming up for air.
One woman with a rope tied around her waist made her way from vehicle to vehicle looking for people.
A structural engineer said the failure was unusual because both ends collapsed. Usually, one member fails or buckles.
A freight train also was crushed by the collapsing bridge.
Civilians helped carry injured victims up the river bank to EMS personnel.
The Red Cross is requesting blood donations as the supply was already low.
The U.S. Transportation Secretary is on the way to the scene.
Some people may be stranded on sections of the bridge that did not go into the river.
The incident commanders were keeping an eye on an approaching storm that could hamper the rescue efforts.
One hospital received six critical patients and 22 others. Some of them were in surgery for various injuries.
Victims had abdominal, chest, head and trunk injuries as well as a patient with a penetrating wound to the chest.
Minneapolis K-9 units are making rounds at the scene.
They have not called in the National Guard to help with crowd control as officers believe they have enough people to secure the scene.
Light trucks were strategically placed to illuminate the scene of twisted metal and concrete.
A survivor whose vehicle plunged nearly three stories, said he was lucky to be alive. He said it was bumper-to-bumper traffic at the time.
At 10:25 p.m., Minneapolis officials announced the incident was now a recovery mission.
Off-duty EMS, firefighters and police officers responded to help out at the scene.
At about 11 p.m., the water rescue personnel suspended their operations. Firehouse.com will continue to post updates as they become available.
