Barge sinks after hitting Vicksburg bridge

111418 Barge Web

(VICKSBURG, Miss.) — A grain barge sank early Monday after a 35-barge tow struck the Old Mississippi River bridge, The Vicksburg Post reported. Two other vessels in the string were damaged.

The southbound tow hit pier 4 on the bridge, which is on the Louisiana side of the river, at 4:22 a.m., according to Warren County bridge commissioner Herman Smith. The river remained open to barge traffic and the bridge was opened to rail traffic after noon Monday.

A schedule was still being set to raise the barge. The barges and the towboat involved in the incident are owned by American Barge Lines of Jeffersonville, Ind.

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By Professional Mariner Staff