See photos, videos of barge that struck Pelican Island bridge, causing Texas oil spill

2024-12-26 12:12:58 source:lotradecoin guide category:News

A barge struck the bridge that links Galveston, Texas to Pelican Island on Wednesday causing an oil spill into the surrounding waters, according to the Galveston County Office of Emergency Management.

The Pelican Island Causeway was struck by the vessel owned by Martin Petroleum at around 10 a.m. Wednesday, the office wrote on X (formerly Twitter). The collision road closed access to the small island, which temporarily lost power before secondary power was restored by 1 p.m.

Galveston County Judge Mark Henry said two crew members on the barge were "either knocked off the barge or jumped off the barge," but were soon rescued, local station KRIV reported. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

The bridge will stay closed until officials deem it safe to access, the city said in a statement. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said on X that the U.S. Department of Transportation will assist the Texas Department of Transportation. Officials do not yet know how much oil has leaked into the water.

TV images, footage and social media posts showed the aftermath of the incident as a section of a railway that runs along the bridge collapsed onto the barge. Some of the damage can be seen below.

Bridge collision:Barge hits Texas bridge connecting Galveston and Pelican Island, causing partial collapse and oil spill

This is a developing story. Follow USA TODAY's full coverage here.

Contributing: Robbie Farias and Thao Nguyen

More:News

Recommend

Secretary of State Blinken is returning to the Mideast in his latest diplomatic foray

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Antony Blinkenis returning to the Middle Eastthis week on his 1

California man found guilty of murder in 2021 shooting of 6-year-old on busy freeway

A Southern California man was found guilty of second-degree murder Thursday in the 2021 road rage sh

Shiffrin being checked for left leg injury after crash in Cortina downhill on 2026 Olympics course

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Mikaela Shiffrin crashed into the safety nets after losing control w