Bridge Collapse in Jiangsu, Overloaded Trucks Blamed Again
by Peter Barefoot on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
From NetEase:
Bridge in Jiangsu Danyang Collapses, Police Claims It Could Be Because Truck Was Overloaded
October 21st afternoon, the “Tinghe Bridge” on Zhongxin River of Jiangsu Danyang Houxiang Town suddenly collapsed. A truck full of stones fell into the river. The driver climbed out of the truck and saved another woman who also fell into the river. According to the analysis of the relevant government workers and the police, the truck was very likely overloaded.
An eyewitness says she was taking an afternoon nap when suddenly a big “rumbling” sound accompanied with an earthquake-like shaking startled her. She ran out of her house and saw many people were running towards the bridge. So she ran to the bridge as well and only then discovered that the Tinghe Bridge had fallen into the river. A red cargo truck was rolled on its side in the river and two people were struggling in the water. Only later did she learn that they were driver of the truck and the woman riding an electric moped that had also fallen in.
According to another eye witness, after the incident happened, the driver struggled to climb out of his truck and it was then that he discovered another woman struggling in the water who was liable to drown at any moment. He swam toward her in a hurry, grabbed this woman in danger and pulled her onto the bank with all his strength. Then he slipped away limping, probably injured as well.
Many residents say they cross the bridge many times every day, and to see a seemingly strong bridge to actually be so fragile is somewhat unbelievable. According to the analysis of relevant government workers and the police, the truck was very likely overloaded.
