NNG Nebraska RR Bridge Disaster

Condolences to the missing man's family



Ground, water searches called off for missing man

NORFOLK -- Norfolk city officials have called off boat and ground searches for a missing railroad worker who was swept away Tuesday when the steel bridge he and two co-workers were on collapsed.

Shortly before 1 p.m. Tuesday, three Nebraska Central Railroad workers fell into the swollen Elkhorn River on the southwest edge of Norfolk when the bridge they were standing on fell into the river. Two of the workers were rescued, but one remained missing Wednesday.

At a press conference Wednesday afternoon in Norfolk, Fire Chief Shane Weidner said the Elkhorn River posed too great a risk for boat or personnel searches for the railroad worker. However, authorities will continue searching for the man using aircraft, he said.

He said boat and personnel searches would resume once the Elkhorn falls below its flood stage, which is 12 feet. The river currently is at 15 feet. He said the river could recede to below its flood stage by this weekend.

Bob Bach, an attorney for Nebraska Central Railroad, said the three workers were on foot on the bridge doing a flood inspection when it collapsed. He said they had decided to inspect the bridge on their own and were not assigned to do so by the company.

He said the company has not authorized the release of the workers' name.

The Elkhorn, which crested at 16.85 feet Tuesday night, has hampered the search with a fast, powerful current carrying dark water, uprooted trees and other debris.

No state agency inspects railroad bridges. The Public Service Commission inspects track, but not bridges, said Deputy Director John Burvainis. The Department of Roads inspects road bridges, but not rail bridges, said spokeswoman Mary Jo Oie.







Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/17/2010 09:53PM by Larry.