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Some runaway barges removed, others still underwater in Mon River

Some runaway barges removed, others still underwater in Mon River
WEBVTT SHUTDOWN TO BOATERS. IN FACT WE JUST SAW THE COAST GUARD STOP A BOATER AND TELL THEM THAT THEY HAD TO MOVE OUT OF THIS AREA. TAKE A LOOK AT THIS VIDEO JUST MOMENTS AGO, WE SAW THE BOAT RIDING ALONG THE MON RIVER, SECONDS LATER THE COAST GUARD MADE THE DRIVER STOP AND GO SOMEWHERE ELSE. THE COAST GUARD ALSO SAYS THREE OF THE BARGES FILLED WITH COLE ARE STILL UNDERWATER. MORE THAN A DOZEN BARGES BREAK FREE IN RAPID WATERS. >> THE RIVERS WERE REALLY FLOWING, REALLY, REALLY FAST. THEY ARE FLOWING NOW BUT THEY WERE SWIRLING. REPORTER: BRIDGES SHUTDOWN, A CHAOTIC SCENE ON THE MON RIVER. >> IT'S PRETTY AWESOME BECAUSE WE NORMALLY DON'T HAVE THIS HAPPEN AROUND HERE. BOTH BRIDGES CLOSED WAS SUCH AN INCONVENIENCE FOR EVERYBODY. REPORTER: THE HOMESTEAD GRACE AND RING KI RANKIN BRIDGE ARE NOW REOPENED. THEY SURVEYED THE BRIDGE LOOK FOR DAMAGES. CREWS ARE FOCUSED ON MAKING SURE THE RUN AWAY BARGES ARE UNDER CONTROL. >> THE LITTLE TUGBOATS WERE HERE AND THEY WERE TRYING TO WRANGLE THEM. IT WAS FUTILE. I GUESS THEY HAVE TO GET THE COAST GUARD IN LIKE THEY WANTED TO. REPORTER: HERE IS A LOOK AT THE VIDEO OF THE BARGES BEING PUSHED AWAY FROM THE RAILROAD BRIDGE. THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE MARINE SAFETY UNIT OF THE COAST GUARD SAYS ALL 15 BARGES HAVE BEEN ACCOUNTED FOR. WE SAW THREE OF THEM BEING REMOVED. SHE SAYS THREE FILLED WITH COAL ARE STILL UNDERWATER, AND THE REMAINING NINE HAVE BEEN RECOVERED AND ARE TIED UP IN SAFE PLACES. ALLEGANY COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES DEPLOYED A RESCUE BOAT TO FIND THE SUNK EVEN PEN BARGES USING SONAR EQUIPMENT. >> IT'S GOOD THEY NIPPED IT IN THE BUD BEFORE THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND. REPORTER: WE REACHED OUT TO THE COMPANY WHO WAS USING T
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Some runaway barges removed, others still underwater in Mon River
Three coal-filled barges sank and about a dozen others were corralled after they broke loose on the Monongahela River, colliding with bridges as they floated downstream Thursday afternoon.Cleanup work continued Friday, as Pittsburgh's Action News 4 saw three barges being removed from the water in the Homestead area. Three others remained underwater; the remaining nine had been recovered and tied up.Sky 4 video showed crews continuing to work to secure the remaining loose barges. Coal was seen spilling into the river as two of the barges sunk.The Rankin and Homestead Grays bridges have reopened to traffic after being struck by three barges.Allegheny County Emergency Services deployed a rescue boat to find the sunken barges, using side scan sonar equipment.The Army Corps of Engineers and the Coast Guard were notified and requested to assist with wrangling the barges."CSX bridge inspectors are assessing the condition of the railroad bridge over the Monongahela River after reported barge strikes this afternoon," CSX said Thursday. "Safety is our top priority. Preliminary inspections indicate the bridge has some aesthetic damage, but is structurally safe for train traffic."

Three coal-filled barges sank and about a dozen others were corralled after they broke loose on the Monongahela River, colliding with bridges as they floated downstream Thursday afternoon.

Cleanup work continued Friday, as Pittsburgh's Action News 4 saw three barges being removed from the water in the Homestead area. Three others remained underwater; the remaining nine had been recovered and tied up.

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Sky 4 video showed crews continuing to work to secure the remaining loose barges. Coal was seen spilling into the river as two of the barges sunk.

The Rankin and Homestead Grays bridges have reopened to traffic after being struck by three barges.

Allegheny County Emergency Services deployed a rescue boat to find the sunken barges, using side scan sonar equipment.

The Army Corps of Engineers and the Coast Guard were notified and requested to assist with wrangling the barges.

"CSX bridge inspectors are assessing the condition of the railroad bridge over the Monongahela River after reported barge strikes this afternoon," CSX said Thursday. "Safety is our top priority. Preliminary inspections indicate the bridge has some aesthetic damage, but is structurally safe for train traffic."