Bridge Collapses, 25 Taken to Hospital

A locked gate at Hidden Lake Park kept the curious away from the scene of Saturday’s collapse.

By the light of day, the crumpled bridge looked more like a puzzle to be solved. But last night, it was a frightening underwater cage.

“So we was walking across holding onto the sides and then the bridge just started shaking," said a woman who experienced the crash.

She was one of about 50 people walking across the bridge after Merrillville’s Fourth of July fireworks. That shaking feeling was the first sign the crowd was too much for the bridge to handle.

“And it just collapsed and the next thing you know everybody is underwater trying to get up. Babies and everybody were underwater,” she said.

Most people managed to scramble back in the direction they came from, leaving behind whatever they carried. But some were hurt, and stuck in the dark water.

"We saw quite a few people getting out of the water, paramedics jumping in the water pulling people out and everything. I pray to god most people got out, if not everybody," said Lavonne Walker.

With the help of helicopters and their searchlights, everybody did get out. The most serious injuries were a broken leg, cuts and scrapes, and a few twisted ankles. The township's fire marshal was amazed no one was more seriously hurt.

“It couldn't have happened at a worse time. Luckily we had ambulances on the scene and we had fire trucks on the scene and we were able to get to people quickly, but there was a hampered response due to the chaos of people leaving and nobody being aware there was an emergency going on,” said Fire Marshal Mike Sniderwine.

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