Earl Schneider, a structural foreman for Brawner Builders, was awoken by frantic phone calls from friends after a cargo ship collided with and caused the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Schneider had not worked on the bridge for about two weeks, but he knew all the workers who were assigned to fix potholes on the bridge that morning. He tried to reach out to his colleagues, but every call went to voicemail. At least six people are presumed dead after the cargo ship hit the bridge, causing a tragedy that has left many families devastated.
Miguel Luna, one of the workers believed to have been on the bridge when it collapsed, has left his wife, María Del Carmen Castellón, frustrated by the lack of information provided by authorities. She expressed concern about his safety and pleaded for updates on the rescue efforts. Luna’s coworker, Jesús Campos, shared how difficult it has been to process the tragic events and expressed sadness for the lives lost. Maryland Governor Wes Moore mentioned that an unknown number of workers were on the bridge doing repairs when the ship hit a support pillar, including three or four who had become parents within the last year.
The Dali, the cargo ship involved in the incident, was en route to Sri Lanka when it struck the bridge. Governor Moore stated that the crash was likely an accident and not an act of terrorism. Two people were rescued from the water, but their identities and roles in the construction work are unclear. Maynor Suazo, another worker believed to be missing, has left his family anxiously awaiting news of his whereabouts. Schneider, who last worked on the bridge two weeks ago, expressed mixed emotions of relief for not being present during the incident but also guilt for feeling grateful amidst the tragedy.
James Krutzfeldt, another foreman for Brawner Builders, was also recently taken off bridge repairs, a project that has been ongoing for about four years. He last worked on the bridge two weeks prior to the collapse. Krutzfeldt spoke about the shock and sadness felt by himself and his colleagues, particularly for the worker who mentored him and helped him advance in his career. The uncertainty surrounding the fate of the missing workers has left everyone waiting anxiously for any news. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, with the focus on determining the circumstances that led to the tragic collapse of the bridge.
