A construction worker who survived the devastating Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore shares his harrowing experience, claiming that workers were not instructed to evacuate as the Dali cargo ship approached the bridge. Now, families of the victims are seeking legal action against the vessel's owners, alleging negligence and demanding accountability.
On March 26, a tragic incident unfolded on the Key Bridge in Baltimore when the Dali cargo ship slammed into the structure, causing a catastrophic collapse that claimed the lives of six construction workers. Among the survivors was a construction worker who recounted his harrowing experience and raised concerns about the lack of evacuation warnings.
According to the survivor, workers on the bridge were not alerted to the approaching vessel despite its loss of power on two occasions. The Dali's unexpected blackout led it to strike a main support pier, causing part of the bridge to collapse into the water within seconds. Eight construction workers were thrown into the water, and two of them survived, including the individual who spoke out.
Baltimore Bridge Collapse Survivor Fights for Life, Alleges Lack of Evacuation Warning
Families of the deceased victims are now taking legal action against Grace Ocean Private Limited, the Singapore-based company that owns the Dali. They allege that the company was negligent in allowing the vessel to depart despite experiencing multiple power outages. The victims' families are seeking monetary compensation for the loss of their loved ones and believe that holding Grace Ocean Private Limited accountable is an essential step towards justice.
An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that a crewmember accidentally disabled the Dali's equipment during maintenance, resulting in two blackouts. When leaving the harbor, a primary electrical breaker tripped, causing a complete power loss.
Baltimore Bridge Collapse Survivor Fights for Life, Alleges Lack of Evacuation Warning
Despite attempts to restore power and call for assistance from tugboats, the Dali struck the bridge, causing it to collapse and plunge the workers into the water. The cause of the vessel's power loss and the role of the earlier technical malfunctions are still under investigation.
The legal action is being filed on behalf of the families of Miguel Angel Luna Gonzalez, Jose Maynor Lopez Sandoval, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera. These individuals were Latino immigrants who had moved to the United States in search of better opportunities.
Baltimore Bridge Collapse Survivor Fights for Life, Alleges Lack of Evacuation Warning
The Dali remained stuck in the wreckage for nearly two months before being refloated and guided back to port. Officials have pledged to rebuild the bridge, a project that is expected to cost at least $1.7 billion and take several years.
As the families of the victims seek legal recourse, the Baltimore community grapples with the tragedy and demands answers. The construction worker's account highlights the importance of safety protocols and raises concerns about the communication and evacuation procedures in place for bridge workers.
Baltimore Bridge Collapse Survivor Fights for Life, Alleges Lack of Evacuation Warning
