In the early hours of Friday morning, a serious accident unfolded at the Interstate 395 bridge in Miami, resulting in six construction workers being hospitalized. This occurred when a large beam collapsed at a construction zone, causing them to fall approximately 30 feet.
According to NBC Miami, Miami Fire Rescue teams swiftly responded to an emergency call at a construction site at 1490 NW 3rd Avenue, where numerous individuals were trapped following the incident.
Upon arrival, rescue teams verified that a header beam, a crucial element for supporting the structure, had toppled during nighttime work on the I-395 project.
The collapse caused six workers to plummet, with one becoming trapped among the debris. Firefighters employed crane trucks and cutting tools in a rescue operation that lasted several minutes, keeping nearby workers on edge.
Five of the injured were transported to the hospital under trauma alert, while the sixth worker was reported to be in stable condition, authorities informed Telemundo 51, which expanded on the original NBC6 Miami report.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) clarified in a statement that the incident did not involve a bridge collapse. Instead, the accident occurred during a scheduled night-time construction operation related to formwork and concrete pouring. The agency assured that the bridge structure and roads open to traffic were unaffected, as the work was conducted in a closed environment without vehicular traffic.
Following the incident, some roads were temporarily closed to allow emergency teams access. However, the area was cleared hours later, and all lanes were reopened without any reported fatalities.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced the initiation of an investigation to determine liabilities and assess the safety conditions at the site, a process now led by the FDOT.
Key Details on the I-395 Bridge Accident
What caused the accident at the I-395 bridge site?
The accident was caused by the collapse of a header beam during nighttime construction work, which led to six workers falling approximately 30 feet.
Were there any fatalities reported in the Miami bridge incident?
No fatalities were reported. Six workers were hospitalized, with five under trauma alert and one in stable condition.
How did the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) respond to the incident?
FDOT clarified that the incident was not a bridge collapse but occurred during a planned construction activity. They confirmed that the bridge structure and open roads were unharmed.