DECATUR, AL (WAFF) -
A vessel transporting components for an upcoming United Launch Alliance launch crashed into a Kentucky bridge causing it to collapse.
Kentucky transportation officials said a portion of the Eggner's Ferry Bridge collapsed into the Tennessee River after the Delta Mariner crashed into it just after 8 p.m. Thursday.
The US 68/Kentucky Highway 80 bridge links Marshall and Trigg Counties and is at the western entrance to the Land between the Lakes Recreation Area.
Chuck Wolfe with the Kentucky Transportation cabinet said there were cars on the bridge when it was struck, but they were all able to get off safely.
The Delta Mariner was commissioned in 2002 to transport flight hardware from the United Launch Alliance factory in Decatur to launch sites at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida and Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. ULA said in a statement that the flight hardware being transported was not damaged.
KYTC engineers will inspect the structure, evaluate the stability of the parts of the bridge still standing and begin assessing the damage.
The pilot said he was running without any barges in tow.
Officials said there were 20 people on the 312-foot vessel; all 20 people are accounted for with no injuries. One witness said there's a 20 foot section of the bridge missing.
The Coast Guard is conducting an investigation.
Related Story:
Copyright 2012 WAFF. All rights reserved. WFIE contributed to this report.
(Source: Daniel Richardson, Fish and Wildlife officer, Lyon County.)
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2012 WorldNow and WSFA, a Raycom Media Station. 