LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Strong currents sent 11 barges loose Thursday morning, temporarily shutting down the Milton-Madison Bridge as crews worked to recover them.
Severe river currents caused a wire on a towing vessel to snap around 8:37 a.m., according to Lt. Connor Sullivan, incident management division chief with Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley.
All 11 barges were recovered by about 11:33 a.m.
One person was aboard a barge when the breakaway happened and was safely recovered by a nearby vessel. No injuries were reported.
The barges didn't hit any bridges or other river crossings, including the Milton-Madison Bridge, which connects Milton, Kentucky, and Madison, Indiana. The bridge was closed while crews worked to recover the barges and has since reopened.
One barge did hit a dredge, and damage surveys are being conducted, Sullivan said.
Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley is investigating the marine casualty. The investigation remains ongoing.
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