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by Renee_Banot from FOX 6 Milwaukee

Last Post 215 days, 14 hours Ago


Surreal
Aug 3, 2007 | 12:50 AM
Category: News
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They look like toys.

The cars and concrete and twisted chunks of steel sticking out of the Mississippi River look like a child's playthings strewn everywhere... only blown up to horrific proportions.

Seeing the damage of the 35W collapse on television is awful. Seeing it in person, and facing the family members whose loved ones are still missing... is heartbreaking.

As one emergency crew put it-- it's a complete mess down there. That's putting it lightly.

The freeway is buckled right before where the start of the bridge used to be. At each end, the road slopes down in a sharp angle and several cars and trucks still cling to the concrete.

For someone who's driven on that bridge maybe a handful of times, it's shocking.

For people who drive on it several times a day, every day, they're constantly thinking, "It could have been me."

It's hard to explain the emotion, the anxiety and the sorrow here in Minneapolis. Luckily, the city is blessed enough to have a giant network of support here, across the country and throughout the world. 

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Member Comments Total Comments: 7
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gardendesigner read my blog view my photos
Aug 3, 2007 | 6:44 AM

My thoughts and prayers are certainly with the families...
Good Job reporting Renee, I was wondering how much time youhad between hearing about rhe tragedy, and hopping on a plane? Wow, Do you just always keep a suitcase packed?

I heard another question while working yesterday,
are they looking inyo the enviromental impact this will have on the water? How many cars/trucks/semis full of oil and Gas do they think are still under water?

Be careful while standing close... That whole area maybe unstable???

Another question: Does anyone think this may have been intentional? I would hate to think that, but this world is so crazy right now!
Just wondering....

Thanks for being our woman on the scene...
~vanessa
prettyinpinks read my blog view my photos
Aug 3, 2007 | 9:57 PM

I can't truly say that I'm not afraid of bridges. I've always sorta tensed up when I'm going under one in a car but it's gotten worse. I can't even imagine what these people's families must be thinking - stuff like, "If only he'd sped up" "If only she'd made that red light before the bridge" - and the people that managed to elude the tragedy will be thinking, "What if I . . . "

It's awful. It's almost like 9/11 in the fact that whenever I see a picture of it, I feel numb and I just stare at the screen, saying,

"That just can't be real."

It's awful. My prayers are with everyone involved in this horror . . . God Bless you all
prettyinpinks read my blog view my photos
Aug 3, 2007 | 10:16 PM

I don't know you
You don't know me
But my prayers are for you
And your family
Whenever I think about it
I start to shiver
A bridge is supposed to stand over,
Not under the river
I see the footage
But I can't comprehend
All I can do is pray
And my wishes, extend
When you've asked "What if"
And worried all day long
Trust me when I say
PLEASE STAY STRONG
Your city's churchs are gathering
Filled with congregation
But we're praying for you
All across the nation
God bless you all
You'll make it through
Just believe me when I say
We're all behind you

_________________________________________

That's the poem I posted on myfoxtwincities.

I know it's kinda bad but I sorta just made it up off the top of my head.

I feel so bad for them, I scanned some of their newsblogs, one person even thinks it was a terrorist attack.

It's terrible . . .
Renee_Banot read my blog
Aug 4, 2007 | 8:25 AM

gardendesigner,
The bridge collapsed just after 6 a.m. My photographer, Ernesto, and I got the call from our bosses to be ready to go by 7:30.
We hit the road and made it in time to do our first live shot at 4am for Fox stations on the East Coast.
It all happened so fast. We always try to be prepared for whatever happens.
Renee_Banot read my blog
Aug 4, 2007 | 8:26 AM

prettyinpinks,
You hit it right on the head. There are so many people in the Twin Cities who are stunned and are thinking, "Holy Cow, that could have been me!"
Plus, could you imagine how hard it will be for the survivors to get back in their car and go anywhere near these bridges??? Especially with their poor track records revealed?!
cindykay54 read my blog view my photos
Aug 4, 2007 | 2:27 PM

prettyinpinks: that is a beautiful poem. Nothing is ever bad when it comes from a pure heart. Your poem reflects that about you. Have you thought about printing out the poem and adding a picture of the bridge to it as a keepsake? If you don't mind, I think that I will as I have a scrapbook for special items... and this is special. Later in years to come, my young grandsons (7 & 9) can look back in that book and read a truly heartfelt poem that was conceived during a very tragic time in our history. Thanks for sharing with all of us.
Renee: I agree about the fear of going over ANY bridge EVER again. We have a large number of "questionable" bridges here in NC and I hope you don't have to report on a similar situation here. All states need to really take a hard look at all of their bridges SOON, and take care of them ASAP before another tragedy occurs.
prettyinpinks read my blog view my photos
Aug 6, 2007 | 9:29 AM

Go ahead Cindy! I'm glad you like it (kinda surprised too, I just jotted it down within the space of about 15 minutes . . . )
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Renee_Banot

I am a general assignment reporter-- which means I cover anything from "State Fair Foods on a Stick" to "A Visit from the President." Every assignment is different. Every day is a clean slate. I thank God for the opportunity to do what I love in my beloved hometown. Please feel free to browse my blog. Any comments, questions or story suggestions... LET 'ER RIP!

Member Since: 8/24/2006