A tragic incident unfolded Tuesday afternoon as a crane collapsed on the Southeast 3rd Avenue bridge in downtown Fort Lauderdale, leaving one dead and another injured. The emergency response was immediate with Fort Lauderdale Police and Fire Rescue units arriving at the scene around 4:30 p.m. where they discovered two damaged vehicles beneath the wreckage and one person, under the bridge, fatally struck, by reported WSVN.
The disruption did not end there as another incident occurred on the SW 3rd Avenue bridge near 4th Street, where part of a crane fell on top of a vehicle, according to CBS News Miami; this event resulted in injuries to at least two individuals and contributed to the chaos in downtown traffic, the bridge was shut down in both directions which has caused a significant inconvenience for commuters. Aerial images captured the scene, showing one black vehicle crushed under part of the structure and another appearing with severe front-end damage.
As a result of the collapse on Southeast 3rd Avenue, the bridge is closed to all traffic, forcing drivers to seek alternative routes and causing some congestion in the area. Officials are currently investigating the cause of the crane collapse and have not released further details on the condition of the injured driver who was rushed to a local hospital.
A heavy police and emergency services presence has remained vigilant on the scene; they are sorting through the debris and working to prevent any further accidents, the statement issued by the authorities suggested remaining calm and avoiding the area is prudent for all locals and visitors until the wreckage has been cleared and it is safe to resume normal traffic flow. The story is still developing, and more information is expected to be released following comprehensive investigations.
