MIAMI: University Pedestrian Bridge Collapses Days After Construction, Multiple Fatalities Reported

The Miami Herald reports:

The FIU pedestrian bridge across Southwest Eighth Street collapsed Thursday afternoon, trapping an unknown number of people and cars underneath.

The bridge was installed at Southwest 109th Avenue Saturday morning, intended eventually to provide pedestrian access across Tamiami Trail from FIU’s main campus to Sweetwater, where thousands of students live in off-campus housing or in FIU’s newer dorms.

Before Saturday’s installation, FIU said the method of overall installation significantly reduced the risk to workers, walkers, drivers and minimized traffic disruptions for construction.

#BREAKING: Pedestrian bridge under construction at FIU has collapsed. https://t.co/O5Idvka7l9

— WSVN 7 News (@wsvn) March 15, 2018

BREAKING UPDATE: Multiple vehicles trapped under collapsed pedestrian bridge in south Florida; multiple people injured. https://t.co/OPvF0j8U7G – @nbc6 pic.twitter.com/BkWiPkmKJa

— NBC News (@NBCNews) March 15, 2018

This Miami bridge collapse is horrific. These cars have been completely flattened with drivers inside. pic.twitter.com/mZLkGP3DxF

— David Mack (@davidmackau) March 15, 2018

#BREAKING now on @ABC7: The FL Highway Patrol is reporting several fatalities after this pedestrian bridge collapsed in Miami. Cars are crushed below the ruble with rescue teams on scene. pic.twitter.com/eUiTcKIuQb

— Brandi Hitt (@ABC7Brandi) March 15, 2018