Overpass Collapses Near Montreal
Posted September 30, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Two vehicles were trapped in the rubble when the structure gave way over a stretch of highway in Laval around noon and Quebec Provincial Police believe there’s little chance they’ll find the people inside those cars alive. Authorities have not confirmed any deaths.
Three of the six people injured are listed in critical condition with serious head injuries, according to Andre Champagne, a spokesman for the Urgences-Sante ambulance service.
Authorities say three lanes and a pedestrian sidewalk on Boulevard de la Concorde bucked crashing onto Highway 19. There were apparently four vehicles on the overpass when it gave way.
Rescuers reported having a hard time reaching the cars that have been trapped under the debris because they’re worried the remaining part of the overpass will also collapse. Getting to those vehicles could take hours and officials expected to work well into the night.
“We fear the worst, of course we hope that there’s still individuals that might be alive underneath the structure,” said Const. Jason Gauthier with the Surete Du Quebec.
Manon Joly had just dropped her daughter off at a dance class and was in her car when the incredible accident happened.
“We were on the viaduct getting ready to turn left to take Highway 19 going north,” she said.
“I slowed down and then all of a sudden, everything collapsed like a house of cards.
“There were three or four cars that plunged into the hole right in front of me.”
In a strange twist, Quebec police announced Saturday night that they had received calls up to an hour before the collapse regarding chunks of falling concrete from the bottom of the overpass.
This is not the first time something like this has happened in the area. Six years ago another highway collapse claimed the life of a 57-year-old man.
The only positive in this instance is that the road – mostly used by the large numbers of commuters in the area – is much less busy during the weekend.
“If it would have been on a Monday morning or any day of the week, it would have been absolutely a mess,” said emergency spokesman Andre Champagne.
