Bridge collapses over Oklahoma City expressway after semi-truck carrying tall equipment tears part of it down

A section of a busy bridge in Oklahoma City collapsed on an expressway on Thursday after it was torn down by a passing semi-truck hauling tall equipment.

The semi-truck was traveling westbound on the Northwest Expressway when it collided with a portion of the May Avenue bridge, tearing down the northbound lanes just after 2.40pm.

 

There were no reported injuries at the scene although the truck, which had been carrying a 'boom lift' on its flatbed, was momentarily trapped under the debris following the collapse.

The driver told police he had made it under the bridge without an issue while traveling on the eastbound side, and assumed there would be no problem in the opposite direction. 

But the eastbound side of the bridge has a maximum height of 14ft 8in, while the westbound side is four inches shorter at 14ft and 4in, according to KWTV.  

May Avenue and all lanes on Northwest Expressway were closed following the accident. 

District Fire Chief Benny Fulkerson said the bridge will be closed indefinitely and will 'likely be completely rebuilt', according to Fox News.

City crews planned to demolish the west side of the bridge on Friday morning. 

At least 20,000 cars travel across the May Avenue bridge every day, according to KOKH. 

The OKC Fire Department expects a long cleanup and said the expressway will remain closed until further notice. 

It will be at least until Friday before engineers can estimate how long repairs will take and when the roads can reopen.