It's one of the most traumatic events in Minnesota history. Nearly 10 years ago, the I-35W bridge collapsed into the Mississippi River, killing 13 people and injuring 145 others. Emergency crews from the northwest metro and all over the state rushed to the scene.
Brooklyn Center Deputy Fire Chief Gary Hendrickson says he's unlikely to forget the day the bridge toppled.
"It looked like it was a scene out of a movie," said Hendrickson, recalling dozens of vehicles plunging into the river at the height of rush hour.
When the bridge collapsed, Hendrickson worked for the Department of Public Safety Homeland Security Emergency Management. He was also a part-time Plymouth firefighter.
"I was up on the bridge when they landed the Black Hawk helicopters on the bridge at the time, obviously they weren't sure at the time exactly what had taken place," explained Hendrickson.
Images from that dreadful day are forever embedded in his mind.
"I think it was a Taystee Bread truck, I recall, that was kind of impinged underneath one of the decks that had fallen and was actually on fire. I recall hearing the screams of the driver from within, it being on scene and people trying effective rescue with him."
Four members of the Maple Grove Police Department also scrambled to help survivors. Missy Parker and Jim Kirkey were patrol officers at the time.
"I remember the bridge being collapsed on the train. We were on that end of the bridge," said Parker. "I just remember it was chaos, horns were going, people crowding around, people talking, people screaming."
Emergency crews had to fight the crowd of people moving in the opposite direction. They also had to deal with the bridge swaying.
"They were saying, no it's moving, the bridge is moving," said Kirkey.
National Transportation Safety Board officials said a design defect with gusset plates caused the bridge to fall. Officials said the gusset plates were only half as thick as they should have been.
Meanwhile, the emergency crews received awards for the heroic actions, although they'd gladly give it back to undue the tragedy that unfolded Aug. 1, 2007.
"It's not something that you want, that's for sure," said Hendrickson somberly. "It's great to be recognized, but at the same time,you know, all the tragedy that came out of that whole situation, but it's part of the job."
On Tuesday, a private ceremony will be held for emergency crews, survivors and their families. The event will be held at the Minneapolis Emergency Operations Training Facility, not too far from where the bridge collapsed.
Sonya Goins, reporting
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