1 dead, 17 injured in Atlanta ped bridge (under construction) collapse

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jGI7Vg9eUeO4Az_njOEYVoBsJ21wD955SHF00

By GREG BLUESTEIN – 11 hours ago

ATLANTA (AP) — A pedestrian bridge under construction collapsed Friday morning near the entrance of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, killing one worker and injuring 17 others.

Atlanta Fire Capt. Gregory Shinkle said some injured workers were carried out on backboards to waiting ambulances at the park north of downtown Atlanta. Their injuries included abrasions and fractures, he said.

Between five and seven of the injured taken to Grady Memorial Hospital were in critical condition when they arrived, said hospital spokesman Denise Simpson.

Authorities have not released the name of the person killed.

Shinkle said he wasn't sure how high or how long the bridge was or how much of it remained intact. He said all of the injured were construction workers who fell when the concrete structure collapsed and that early reports that people were trapped under the debris were incorrect.

Fifteen workers were taken to Grady and two others to another hospital, Simpson said. She said she believed the patients taken to Atlanta Medical Center had less serious injuries.

FULL story at link.

[emilyg]

1. Sad. Been following this on our local news.