Barge Hits Bridge, Knocks Cars Into River

May 26, 2002 -- Authorities hope to search for bodies where a barge collision collapsed an eastern Oklahoma highway bridge, dropping cars and tractor-trailors about 75 feet into the Arkansas River.

"We have no confirmation of any fatalities, though the people at the bridge say they have seen people in the cars in the water," Gov. Frank Keating told reporters this afternoon.

Searchers expect to find five to 12 bodies in submerged vehicles once divers can thoroughly probe the site near Webbers Falls, Okla., officials told The Associated Press.

Survivors, Including Tug Captain

More than a dozen cars and tractor-trailers went into the river, officials estimated. By the time police arrived, local fishermen were pulling victims out of the water.

At least four survivors of the 8 a.m. CT "horrible accident" were hospitalized — including the captain of the tugboat pushing oil barges that hit the bridge's supports, Keating said.

"Apparently, he suffered a seizure or something behind the wheel," causing the collision, Keating said.

This afternoon, cranes were stabilizing 500-foot sections of Interstate 40, which collapsed in both directions, to make conditions safer for emergency personnel. A strong river current and murky underwater conditions also were frustrating searchers.

"We've got everything [at the scene], from boats out on the river to aircraft," Oklahoma Highway Patrol Lt. Brandon Kopepasah said. "We've got just a lot of personnel — medical personnel and rescue personnel — out there."

The collapsed two-lane sections of the bridge could be seen extending from each side of the remaining elevated concrete roadway down into the water. On one side, the roadway rested atop a pair of barges.

The Ground Shook

Local residents, including some at a nearby fishing tournament, said they heard a loud bang and felt the impact.

"This is a quiet Sunday morning and you're sitting there watching the fishermen having a good time," a male resident of the area told ABCNEWS Radio. "And then all of a sudden, you know, you hear this and … you could feel the ground shake."

"We heard the noise and we went running down to the bank," said one woman. "We could see the dust and all that coming from it. And then I saw two cars go off with a big splash."

One victim, a trucker, appeared "hurt" and "in shock," according to a man who said he drove the injured man to a local hospital.

Interstate 40 is the main east-west highway thoroughfare through Oklahoma, and it could be out for a matter of months, officials said. They warned travelers to stay away, and traffic jams were reported in the area today.

ABCNEWS' Lauren Rogers contributed to this report.