Rescue work, routing problems continue after I-40 bridge collapse

WEBBERS FALLS, Okla. (May 28, 2002) — Rescue crews retrieved floating pieces of car seats, clothing, and diapers from the Arkansas River near where a section of Interstate 40 collapsed sending up to nine vehicles into the water below.

In all, up to a dozen people may have been killed Sunday when the 500-foot section of the nearly 2000-foot bridge collapsed after a barge slammed into its piers, authorities told the Associated Press.

I-40 is a main east-west route across the United States. The loss of the bridge, about 35 miles west of the Arkansas state line, will force a detour of up to 60 miles on two-lane roads.

The Oklahoma Dept. of Transportation asked travellers to avoid eastern Oklahoma if possible.