WEBBERS FALLS, Okla. — Today marks 18 years since the I-40 bridge collapsed southeast of Webbers Falls, Oklahoma.
On Sunday, May 26, 2002 around 8 a.m. a towboat pushed two barges into the Interstate 40 bridge, collapsing a 500 foot section of the bridge into the Arkansas River.
SEE MORE: The deadliest bridge collapses in the US in the last 50 years
Both cars and semis plunged into the water, resulting in a total of 14 deaths.
The towboat was transporting the two barges down the Arkansas River when they collided with a pier that was supporting the I-40 bridge over the river, according to Wikipedia. The bridge collapse was caused by the captain's loss of consciousness.
Eight years ago families and friends, like Misty Johnson's sisters, gathered to remember those they lost.
Today, a memorial statue stands on the riverbanks to honor those lives lost back in May 2002.
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