Coastal communities are unique in that they share a love for the water. But for many residents, the cons of coastal habitation aren't revealed until something horrible happens. This proved true after a major accident closed down a Texas coastal bridge.
A tiny fishing community that lost its destined city status after being wiped out in the early 20th century by a major hurricane, Rockport, Texas is home to just under 10,000 residents. The Texas coastal highway, 35, is the main artery into Rockport and Corpus Christi, a major Texas city.
Just after the dismissal bell rang for the first day of summer school,
a major five-car pile up on the two lane bride of 35 across the waterway closed down the bridge in both directions.
A
Rockport news report said the accident involved 5 vehicles, one of which was said to be a local area construction company vehicle who was witnessed
passing two vehicles on the mile-long bridge.
Traffic on both the North and South side of Texas Highway 35 were detoured over 80 miles out of the way, however, that detour did not affect those who were already caught up in the two-mile back up of traffic.
Although the investigation is still underway, the accident led to one fatality and two individuals being airlifted to area hospitals. Their conditions are not known at this time.
Automobile accidents are not uncommon, nor are the fatalities associated with them. However, this particular event created some serious problems for local residents. Parents were waiting for their children, some as young as 5-years-old, to be dropped off from their first day of summer school around the same time the accident occurred.
After waiting at the bus stop for over an hour, one parent tried to contact public transportation, only to find their line busy. It took some calling around through the back doors of the education system but eventually, parents were notified via cellular phone that their children were safe.
The reason for the cellular phone notification was that a local construction crew had cut the phone lines to the school district's transportation and several of the area schools where the children would be housed in the event of an emergency.
After nearly five hours of waiting, tail-gate parties and for some, frustration, the bridge was reopened and travelers were allowed to make their way back into and out of Rockport.
A major risk for those who travel over causeways and bay bridges daily as part of coastal living.
Motorists Stranded After Major Accident Over Waterway Bridge Closed Down Highway
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