Baltimore bridge collapse: Spouse of survivor say it is a ‘miracle’ husband survived’ as a result of he cannot swim | US Information

The spouse of one of many eight development staff who was on the Francis Scott Key Bridge when it collapsed has mentioned “it is a miracle he survived” as a result of he cannot swim.

Julio Cervantes was on the 1.6-mile-long construction when it crashed into the Patapsco River after being struck by an enormous container ship within the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Mr Cervantes and one other man have been rescued the identical day.

The rescue mission become a restoration operation after they have been presumed lifeless on Tuesday evening. The our bodies of two of them have been discovered on Wednesday whereas the remaining 4 have nonetheless not been discovered.

Mr Cervantes’ spouse, who didn’t wish to give her identify, informed Sky Information’ US accomplice community: “All the males have been on a break of their vehicles when the boat hit.

“We do not know in the event that they have been warned earlier than the impression… My husband does not know find out how to swim. It’s a miracle he survived.”

It emerged after the catastrophe that personnel on board the ship have been in a position to alert the Maryland Division of Transportation that they’d misplaced management of their vessel.

This meant native authorities have been in a position to get near the bridge earlier than it was struck, with US President Joe Biden saying this “undoubtedly saved lives”.

Mr Cervantes was taken to hospital with a chest wound on Tuesday and was launched the identical day.

The opposite employee rescued was in good situation and refused therapy.

The stays of Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, have been recovered within the Port of Baltimore on Wednesday morning.

They have been present in a pink truck trapped below 25ft of water close to what was as soon as the center of the bridge.

Learn extra:
Two potential causes for the disaster
Baltimore has ‘very lengthy highway forward’

Mr Cervantes’ spouse mentioned that her brother-in-law was one of many two males whose our bodies have been recovered, however didn’t share his identify.

She mentioned her whole household is of Mexican origin, and her nephew is amongst these nonetheless lacking.

“We’ve not been in a position to sleep, ready for phrase if they are going to discover a relative,” she mentioned.

It got here as Maryland Governor Wes Moore warned of a “very lengthy highway forward” to get better from the lack of the bridge because the Biden administration authorized $60m in quick federal help.

Large barges carrying cranes are within the means of eradicating twisted steel and concrete as a primary step towards reopening a key delivery route blocked by the wreckage.

Mr Moore promised that “the most effective minds on the planet” have been engaged on plans to clear the particles, transfer the cargo ship that rammed into the bridge from the channel, get better the our bodies of the 4 remaining staff presumed lifeless and examine what went flawed.

An investigation into what triggered the crash and subsequent bridge collapse is below manner by the Nationwide Transportation Security Board. It’s anticipated to take as much as two years.