MARCH 26, 2015
AUSTIN, TEXAS (REUTERS/KEYE-TV)
A bridge under construction in Salado, Texas collapsed onto
several vehicles on Thursday after An oversized truck hit at least one beam
supporting it, local officials said.
Texas Department of Public Safety officials say an oversize
truck crashed into the support beam of the FM 2484 overpass on Thursday
morning, causing part of the bridge to collapse. Authorities say there are two
tractor trailers and two passenger cars that are under the wreckage.
Local news media reported at least one person has been
killed, but the local Bell County Sheriff's Office could not confirm the
report. The incident took place on Interstate 35 about 50 miles north of
Austin.
"The impact caused a few beams of the bridge that was
under construction to fall," said Veronica Beyer, a spokeswoman with the
Texas Department of Transportation.
The highway runs through the center of the United States
from the Mexican to Canadian border. It has been shut in both directions near
the accident site, she said.
TxDOT tells KEYE-TV that travelers should consider taking SH
95 to Temple or SH 195 to Killeen to bypass traffic on I-35 in Salado.