Florida International University pedestrian bridge collapse facts for kids
National Transportation Safety Board members inspecting the collapsed pedestrian overpass on March 16
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| Date | March 15, 2018 |
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| Time | 1:30 p.m. EDT |
| Location | University Park and Sweetwater, Florida, U.S. |
| Type | Overpass section collapse |
| Deaths | 6 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 9 |
On March 15, 2018, a part of a new bridge collapsed in Florida. This bridge was being built for people to walk over a busy road. It was located near Florida International University (FIU) in University Park, which is a town close to Miami.
The bridge section was about 174-foot-long (53 m). It fell onto Tamiami Trail (U.S. Route 41), a major road. Several cars were driving on the road at that time. The collapse caused six people to die and nine people to be hurt.
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The FIU Bridge Collapse
What Happened?
A large section of the FIU–Sweetwater UniversityCity Bridge suddenly fell down. This happened on March 15, 2018. The bridge was still under construction. It was meant to help students and others cross a busy road safely.
The bridge fell onto the road below. This road is called Tamiami Trail. It is also known as U.S. Route 41. Cars were driving on this road when the collapse happened.
Where the Bridge Was Built
The bridge was located in front of the Florida International University (FIU) campus. FIU is a large university in Florida. The area is called University Park. It is a suburb west of the city of Miami.
The bridge was designed to connect the university campus with the nearby town of Sweetwater. This would make it easier for people to get around.
The Impact of the Collapse
When the bridge fell, it crushed several vehicles. These vehicles were on the road below. Many people were inside these cars.
Sadly, six people lost their lives in this accident. Nine other people were also injured. Emergency teams quickly arrived to help. They worked to rescue people from the crushed cars.
The collapse was a very serious event. It led to investigations to find out why it happened.
Images for kids
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Elevation Engineering Drawing of Proposed FIU Sweetwater Pedestrian Bridge
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Members of the NTSB's Go Team for the investigation boarding an FAA plane to travel to Miami.
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See also
In Spanish: Derrumbe del puente peatonal de la Universidad Internacional de Florida para niños
