News Headlines

Barges Hit Bridge, Resulting in Oil Spill

Posted: 1:36 PM Jan 27, 2013
Reporter: The Associated Press

The Coast Guard says oil has spilled into the Mississippi after two barges hit a railroad bridge in Vicksburg, and the river is closed for 8 miles in each direction.

Lt. Ryan Gomez says sheen was reported three miles downriver of Vicksburg. The hit occurred about 1:12 a.m. Central time. Gomez says booms were set around the barges to absorb and contain oil.

He says he doesn't know how much oil has leaked or how much the barges carried. He says one may have been damaged by hitting the other barge.

He identifies the tugboat pushing both barges as the Nature's Way Endeavor.

Petty Officer Carlos Vega says that the bridge has been deemed safe for trains and that federal, state and local authorities were heading there to assess damage.