I know all of you have heard about the horrific incident yesterday in Minneapolis. The bridge in question is familiar to everyone in the city and is very familiar to my husband. When it collapsed, it collapsed right at his place of work. You may remember when I spoke of the Karabella Kruise that my DH works on a lock and dam. It is the dam that is shown in all of the news reports. The security video that is being shown was taken at the dam.  He was not at work when the incident occurred, but did go in to see if he could help and does work tonight. The bridge landed on the road into the lock site and debris is blocking the lock chamber — blocking the entire river actually. It is a terrible scene and is still actively playing out.Â
This event will be remembered for years to come — where were you when … ? We are asking ourselves: What would I have done? How would I have fared? Everyone is thinking, “It could have been me.”Â
All of my family members are fine, but many people still await news of their loved ones. Emergency crews have seen people in the cars that are trapped underwater and cannot recover them due to debris and the river current. It is extremely dangerous to do any underwater work near the dams under the best of conditions.Â
We are shocked, we are saddened, and we are appreciative of the outpouring of sympathy that has been sent our way. Thank you for your kind thoughts.
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To be Blessed to create beauty in (y)our corner of the world, wherever that may be — hugs.
Comment by Nancy — August 2, 2007 @ 3:09 pm
Susan — thanks for posting — I’ve been checking your blog since late last night to make sure you and yours are okay! My heart bleeds for all in Minnisota — which is where my mother was born, and I probably have a hundred or more cousins there (that I don’t know).
And meanwhile my Kauni arrived yesterday. Madness. Madness. at the Sit ‘n Knit at the yarn store I now work at someone else was working on it last night!
Comment by Jennifer — August 2, 2007 @ 3:10 pm
It’s good to know that you and your family are okay. I too am extremely familiar with that bridge and have ddriven on it countless times (though long ago). Truly, this is the sort of thing it is hard to believe could ever happen.
Comment by anmiryam — August 2, 2007 @ 3:17 pm
Glad to hear from you!
Comment by AuntieAnn — August 2, 2007 @ 3:29 pm
I’ve lived in Minneapolis twice and loved it; what a terrible thing to happen. My thoughts are with you and the entire city at this time.
Comment by Astrid — August 2, 2007 @ 3:46 pm
Such an awful situation and so close to home for you. Many prayers are coming your way.
Comment by Michelle — August 2, 2007 @ 3:55 pm
I was just sending you a concerned email and thought to check your blog first for news of how you and yours are doing. I’m so very sorry. That sounds so limp at such a time, but it is so heartfelt. I wish I could put it back together again. My thoughts are with you all.
I am selfishly happy to hear that you and your family are ok.
Comment by Romi — August 2, 2007 @ 4:25 pm
fellow MN knitter here. “Everyone is thinking, “It could have been me.†“. yes, yes, yes.
i am glad that you and yours are well, all of ‘my peeps’ are ok. my sister was on her way home from work and took the 3rd ave bridge instead… she very easily could have been on it. my heart is breaking for those that were.
Comment by cori w — August 2, 2007 @ 4:30 pm
I remembered what you wrote about the husband and was wondering. So, it’s great to hear from you!
Comment by Marina — August 2, 2007 @ 4:40 pm
I had never visited Minnesota prior to the Yarnover event in Minneapolis this past April. Now I keep wondering if anyone I met then was in the bridge disaster. Glad to hear you and yours are safe, wishing everyone else were too.
Comment by Susanna in Seattle — August 2, 2007 @ 4:56 pm
Courage to your husband for getting in there to try and help. It must be one hell of a heartbreaking scene down there. Take care, Susan, and good thoughts to you and yours.
Comment by Lee Ann — August 2, 2007 @ 5:29 pm
Susan- Gosh, it could have been anyone on the bridge.
So glad that you and yours are safe.
My heartfelt sympathies to those who suffered. What a
horrific thing to happen.
Comment by Lorraine — August 2, 2007 @ 5:32 pm
We go over so many bridges in our lives. What a horrible twist of fate to have been on that one during those terrible few seconds. I haven’t lived in Minnesota for years, but that area — near the University campus — is one of the places I consider as “back home” when I think of Minnesota.
Just unimaginable.
Comment by surly — August 2, 2007 @ 6:02 pm
Thank you for your posting. My condolences to those Families who have love loved ones.
Comment by Peg — August 2, 2007 @ 6:22 pm
Nothing I want to say seems quite right somehow, so I’ll just wish you and yours peace of mind.
Comment by Karen B. — August 2, 2007 @ 8:14 pm
I knew one of the victims of That Bridge. Probably most people in the Twin Cities know someone who commutes over That Bridge; most of us have crossed it ourselves a kazillion times. Hug your husband, be grateful neither of you were on That Bridge.
Comment by kmkat — August 3, 2007 @ 12:07 am
I thought of you right away and checked here last night. This is a sad and scary situation for you . I was relieved to read your blog and find out you and your family were not hurt on the bridge.
Comment by katomliz — August 3, 2007 @ 12:56 am
So glad to know that you and yours are OK. But I understand how communities feel bruised when tragedy strikes close. For me, when I can remind myself that I am OK, and that I can’t be certain there is anything to be afraid of… then I can be grateful for my life, my friends and all that I do have.
I drove over that bridge at least once, I’m sure on my first road trip as a single parent: Dallas to Duluth (with a side trip to Brainerd and Bemidji.) Best to all the kind Minnesot’ns.
Comment by PainterWoman — August 3, 2007 @ 1:31 am
What a tragedy! We must treasure every second of every day, so scary how quickly life can change.
Good to know you and your family are safe. Praying for the victims and their families.
Comment by Knitserland — August 3, 2007 @ 2:37 am
Susan, I am so very sorry. I thought when this happened, my God, does anyone I know live there? Are they alright? Their families? My deepest heatfelt prayers go out to all of you affected by this tragedy.
Comment by Carol — August 3, 2007 @ 12:58 pm
I’m over in Burnsville, husband drives that road/bridge home, was late that day, my heart did double-time until he pulled into the driveway. I’m heartbroken for the missing, dead, and survivors who had to endure that. True Minnesota Nice came into play as folks helped each other, but I’m sure anywhere in any state if this happened folks would help. I’m glad your husband is safe, hugs from Burnsville, Minnesota. -Pam
Comment by Pam Gillette — August 3, 2007 @ 3:34 pm
So glad you and your family were not hurt….I’ll say a prayers for you all there. Thanks for the update…those are horrific pictures. those poor people!
Comment by Redsoxgal — August 3, 2007 @ 9:39 pm