Three dead, four injured in Mississippi bridge collapse, sheriff says

At least three people died and four were seriously injured after a Mississippi bridge that was being demolished collapsed Wednesday afternoon during work at the site, authorities said.

The deaths and injuries were confirmed by Simpson County Sheriff Paul Mullins, WLBT-TV reported.

The Simpson County coroner’s office responded to the scene but did not release further details, WJTV-TV said.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation said in a news release that the Strong River bridge on State Route 149 in Simpson County, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Jackson, has been closed to traffic since Sept. 18 as a bridge replacement project is underway by contractor TL Wallace.

Details of how the accident occurred were initially unknown.

Ministry spokeswoman Anna Ehrgott said the agency would “share further information with the public as it becomes available.”