(C) Daily Kos
This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered.
 . . . . . . . . . .



Baltimore Resident Narrowly Avoids Tragedy in Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse [1]

['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']

Date: 2024-04-01  

In the early hours of March 26, as the clock struck just after 1 a.m., Larry DeSantis was en route to his second shift at Herman’s Bakery in the Baltimore vicinity, marking the midpoint of what seemed to be another regular workday. However, an unforeseen event was about to unfold that would bring him perilously close to a life-threatening disaster.

DeSantis narrowly escaped a tragic fate that morning when a vessel collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge, leading to its disastrous downfall. He recounted to CNN being possibly among the final individuals to traverse the bridge prior to the calamitous incident, concentrating solely on navigating carefully past the maintenance crew on the structure. Oblivious to the imminent danger, he noticed an unusual absence of traffic for that hour, save for a lone tractor without its trailer lagging behind him.

Traffic surveillance footage from the minutes leading up to the catastrophe captured images that suggest DeSantis and the tractor were the last vehicles to cross before a massive 984-foot container ship rammed into a bridge pillar at 1:29 a.m., causing a section of the bridge to plummet into the icy waters of the Patapsco River. This account was initially brought to light by The Baltimore Banner.

The collapse resulted in the loss of vehicles and lives into the river below. Six bridge maintenance workers vanished in the immediate aftermath, with search efforts later recovering two bodies, while the remaining four are feared deceased.

Reflecting on the narrowness of his escape, DeSantis expressed gratitude for his safety, noting how a brief delay could have altered his fate dramatically. Moments after his crossing, a call from his other employer inquiring about his whereabouts alerted him to the bridge's collapse, a reality he found hard to comprehend.

DeSantis, a lifelong resident of the Baltimore area, could only recall one other instance when the bridge was not part of the Patapsco River's landscape—during its construction. Since its inauguration in 1977, the Francis Scott Key Bridge has been a vital conduit for 30,000 Marylanders daily. The incident has significantly impacted the region, particularly the Port of Baltimore, a crucial hub for international cargo ranked ninth in the U.S., which processed goods valued at $80.8 billion in 2023. Despite the blockage caused by debris, efforts are underway to clear the site and establish a temporary alternate route for essential commercial vessels, underscoring the community's resilience in the face of adversity.

As DeSantis now gazes upon the river, missing its once-prominent landmark, he, along with many Marylanders, finds it hard to fathom the absence of the bridge, a sentiment echoed across the community as they navigate the aftermath of this tragic event.

[END]
---
[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/4/1/2232821/-Baltimore-Resident-Narrowly-Avoids-Tragedy-in-Francis-Scott-Key-Bridge-Collapse?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web

Published and (C) by Daily Kos
Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified.

via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds:
gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/