After a vessel caused a bridge in Baltimore to collapse, a survivor talked about how he faced danger head-on, saw the vessel approach him, and miraculously lived. Sadly, other victims did not see the same fate.
The scene where a container ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, MD as seen from a plane on March 26, 2024 | Source: Instagram/vanhoutenphoto
In a tragic turn of events that has left the Maryland community in shock, the Baltimore Bridge’s collapse led to injuries and fatalities. Amidst ongoing search and rescue operations, a survivor spoke with Governor Wes Moore about the harrowing incident.
Moore recounted the survivor’s tale, emphasizing the narrow escape from what could have been a fatal outcome. Moore shared, “It was a pretty remarkable conversation, where, as he said, ‘But for the grace of God that he was there.'”
Aerial shot of the Port of Baltimore at sunset. In the distance, the Key Bridge stretches across the river | Source: Getty Images
The survivor, whose identity remains confidential, talked about the moments before the tragedy and how close he physically was to being a casualty, “because when you saw the moments between when the crew called for a Mayday and the moments that the bridge actually collapsed, we’re talking seconds.”
“The individual actually shared with me that he did see the ship, that it was coming,” Moore added. Reflecting on the conversation, Moore concluded, “It really is pretty miraculous when you consider what happened and the speed and the intensity at which it happened last night.”
The collapse set off an extensive search and rescue operation, a testament to the immediacy with which federal, state, and local Maryland communities rallied to support the recovery efforts.
Helicopters became a familiar sight, circling overhead every half hour or so, while divers and coast guards scoured the waters below, all hands working tirelessly to locate and assist the victims.
Of the eight construction workers known directly impacted by the tragedy, one individual was swiftly transported to a facility specializing in shock trauma, where they received care for injuries sustained during the collapse. The other notable survivor is the individual who shared their experience.
The bridge, a site of routine maintenance aimed at improving transportation safety, had been familiar ground for the workers who filled its potholes and witnessed the nightly passage of ships. The appearance of the vessel on that fateful day, however, with its imposing size and rapid approach, signaled an extraordinary event.
The accident was reported earlier this week, when tragedy struck Baltimore after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed into the Patapsco River in Baltimore, Maryland, after a collision with a container vessel. The incident occurred in the early morning of Tuesday, March 26.
According to sources, the 984-foot cargo ship hit the pillar of the bridge, causing it to go under. Moments before the disaster, the ship issued a mayday call in a bid to let authorities know of the impending danger after losing its power. And now, the audio from the first responder has been unearthed.
The call was directed to the Maryland Transportation Authority Police Dispatch and Response officials. In the audio, the official could be heard detailing what was happening, saying that the ship had lost its steering and all traffic had to be stopped
