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Breaking News

Rescuers Work to Pull Motorists From Arkansas River

Aired May 26, 2002 - 11:02   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: More now on the breaking news out of Oklahoma, as we told you earlier, a barge slammed into a bridge. Traffic is shut down on Interstate 40, as rescuers work to pull motorists out of the Arkansas River. We're joined now on the phone from the Mayor of Webbers Falls, Mayor Jewell Horn. Thanks for joining us again. I know this is a pretty busy morning for you out there. Give us an idea of what the rescue efforts are like right now.

MAYOR JEWELL HORN, WEBBERS FALLS, OKLAHOMA: Well, right now it looks like that they're fixing to bring some more in. We don't know how many. They're bringing some more in. We don't have a count at the present time. We might have some information for you a little bit later on, but right now we're just in the process of trying to rescue these people and that's it.

WHITFIELD: Now when you say bringing more in, we're talking about divers who are also -

HORN: No. No. No. We're bringing either injured or bodies. We're not sure which at the present time.

WHITFIELD: And so far, the numbers are at least three, perhaps even four people have already been transported to hospitals in the nearby area?

HORN: That's correct. That's correct.

WHITFIELD: And their conditions as you know them?

HORN: At the present time, we're not sure on their conditions.

WHITFIELD: All right, well let's talk about how many vehicles may still be in the water. I'm seeing numbers from seven vehicles, cars that were in the water, three big rigs. What do you know?

HORN: This is what I've been notified. That is the number that has been notified to me.

WHITFIELD: And, Mayor, if we could just recap shortly. This morning, just about 7:30 your time, a barge crashed into this bridge. A 400-foot span fell into the Arkansas River there, sending cars and big rigs that were on that 400-foot span off, correct?

HORN: That's correct, yes. WHITFIELD: All right, well rescue efforts are still underway there. Mayor Jewell Horn, we appreciate you joining us.

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