First lady to visit Minneapolis collapse
Seven people have been confirmed dead after the collapse
Friday, 03, Aug 2007 12:57
First lady Laura Bush will visit Minneapolis today to meet with victims of the bridge collapse which has killed at least four people.
Divers suspended their search for survivors overnight as it became too dangerous for the rescuers to work.
There are currently fewer than ten people missing, far less than earlier estimates of between 20 and 30.
White House press secretary Tony Snow said that president George Bush had called Minnesota's governor Tim Pawlenty and Minneapolis mayor RT Rybak to offer his condolences and prayers for those who died.
Mr Bush discussed the disaster in a White House cabinet meeting yesterday and confirmed that the Federal government would help with the rescue efforts.
"I told them we would help with rescue efforts, but I also told them how much we are in prayer for those who suffered," Mr Bush said.
"And I thank my fellow citizens for holding up those who are suffering right now in prayer."
Traffic on the eight-lane bridge had been bumper to bumper when it crumbled, with only two lanes of the highway open due to repair work that was being carried out.
Witnesses to the collapse reported hearing a rumbling sound as the structure fell into the river, with one describing how she saw people subsequently trying to swim their way to safety as half-submerged vehicles lay in the water.
Ahead of a visit to the disaster scene, US secretary of transportation Mary Peters announced the provision of $5 million (£2.5 million) worth of emergency federal relief aid to repair the 40-year-old interstate bridge.
"We will rebuild this bridge and repair this horrible hole in the heart of this community", she said.