Section of Corona bridge partially collapses, injuring at least 9 construction workers

Photo Credit: CBS/LA

Section of Corona bridge partially collapses,
injuring at least 9 construction workers

3 workers left critically injured

UPDATE #1

See original story below

Written by Trevor Montgomery

For hemeteyenews.com

Corona, Calif.; On Friday night, October 9, 2015, nine construction workers sustained moderate to severe injuries, when a temporary underpass collapsed in Corona, according to Eliza Echevarria, a spokesperson for the Riverside County Transportation Commission. As of Saturday morning, three of those injured were still listed in critical condition and another worker had already been released from the hospital. No further information was available regarding the other construction workers.

Each of the nine workers involved in the incident were transported to area hospitals with a range of different injuries. According to the Riverside County Transportation Commission, the injured construction workers have all been identified as employees with Atkinson Walsh Construction Joint Venture.

Early reports indicated the construction workers had been lowering the on-ramp into place at around 11 p.m. on Friday evening. During the lowering process, the jacking operation failed, causing the bridge deck to drop about 16 inches. The falling bridge struck the wooden beams that had been supporting the raised on-ramp, which then smashed into the workers below.

While speaking with the Los Angeles Times, Beatrice Espinoza, an 82-year-old resident of Corona, said she heard the bridge collapse.

“We heard the bang that we all thought was an earthquake,” Espinoza said. “The first thing that comes to mind is that this was an earthquake.”

Espinoza said she rushed outside to try and determine what happened.

“There were sirens all over the place,” she said. “It was horrible … and the ambulances were all lined up.”

Espinoza described seeing firefighters racing to the accident scene to provide medical treatment to the injured construction workers while other emergency first responders carried away injured workers on stretchers to ambulances that were lined up and waiting nearby.

“It was terrible,” she said.

As of Saturday morning, the 91 roadway remained open Saturday, but East Grand Boulevard, Joy Street and Third Street were all still closed to traffic.

In a press release from the Riverside County Transportation Commission, Echevarria wrote, "The bridge is seated in the proper position and inspections of the bridge have been made by the project structural engineering team. The East Grand Boulevard roadway is being cleared, with the goal of restoring traffic on the roadway between Third Street and Joy Street as soon as possible."

The California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was also at the scene of the partial bridge collapse and has initiated an independent investigation," according to Echevarria.

"The Riverside County Transportation Commission and the project team’s thoughts and prayers are with the injured workers and their families and ask that their privacy be respected. Project officials are continuing to monitor the condition of the construction workers," Echevarria wrote in the news release.

ORIGINAL REPORT

Written by Trevor Montgomery

For hemeteyenews.com

Corona, Calif.; On Friday night, October 9, at approximately 11:10 p.m., at least nine construction workers suffered a range of injuries after a section of a bridge under construction partially collapsed. Some early reports indicated the section of bridge that collapsed was actually a temporary bridge that was being taken down.

The bridge at Joy and Third streets apparently fell late Friday evening.

According to Cheryl Donahue of the Riverside County Transportation Commission, the partial bridge collapse occurred at the 91 freeway undercrossing. She went on to explain part of the East Grand Boulevard undercrossing had collapsed. 

Emergency crews were on the scene to treat injured workers. Specific information about the injured construction workers was not available at this time.

It was unknown late Friday night whether the collapse was blocking traffic. According to transportation authorities, expect traffic delays throughout that area until further notice.

Contact the writer: trevor.hemeteyenews@gmail.com