LOUISIANA, MO -- The bridge is now open following the fatal accident. Click here for the newest details.
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The Champ Clark Bridge on US 54 over the Mississippi River in Louisiana, Missouri has reopened following an accident that occurred on the east end of the bridge Wednesday morning. It was closed for approximately 6 hours.
Illinois State Police have confirmed that one fatality resulted from the accident which was reported at around 8:17 a.m.
The bridge has been inspected by MoDOT engineers and repairs have been made to the railing. "We have made immediate repairs to get the bridge safely open, and we will make more permanent repairs within the next few months," said Travis Wombwell, MoDOT bridge inspector.
A semi trailer carrying a skid loader, which is considered a wide load, westbound from Illinois to Missouri attempted to move over for a eastbound car. Through the investigation, it appears that the skid loader hit the superstructure of the bridge and fell off of the trailer and onto the car.
Authorities have stated that the unidentified driver of the car is from Missouri, but not from the Northeast Missouri area. No names are being released yet as authorities contact next-of-kin.
Drivers had to take US 61 to Hannibal to cross the Mississippi River into Illinois and from the Illinois side, drivers had to take I-72 to Hannibal into Wednesday afternoon as crews worked to make repairs to the bridge.
We will have more information as soon as it is released by authorities.
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