logo
[Left]Container ship collides with bridge. [Right] Miguel Luna and his family | Source:Facebook/Miguel Luna | Getty Images
[Left]Container ship collides with bridge. [Right] Miguel Luna and his family | Source:Facebook/Miguel Luna | Getty Images

Father of Three Missing after the Baltimore Bridge Collapse

Odette Odendaal
Mar 27, 2024
11:30 A.M.

On 26 March​ 2024, what the US Coast Guard classified as a major marine casualty, resulted in tragedy. A father of 3 has now been identified as one of the six presumed dead.

Advertisement
The scene where a container ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, MD as seen from a plane on March 26, 2024 | Source: Instagram/vanhoutenphoto

The scene where a container ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, MD as seen from a plane on March 26, 2024 | Source: Instagram/vanhoutenphoto

The tragedy occurred when the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed after a Singaporean-flagged container vessel struck a pillar on the 47-year-old bridge.

Photo capture of the Francis Scott Key Bridge before the cargo vessel collided with it on March 26, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

Photo capture of the Francis Scott Key Bridge before the cargo vessel collided with it on March 26, 2024 | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement

The identity of one of the six people, a CASA member, now presumed dead was shared in a heartfelt statement from CASA Executive Director Gustavo Torres.

“Sadly, we discovered that one of the construction workers involved was a longtime member of our CASA family, adding an even deeper layer of sorrow to this already grievous situation,” he stated.

Aerial shot of the Port of Baltimore at sunset. In the distance, the Key Bridge stretches across the river | Source: Getty Images

Aerial shot of the Port of Baltimore at sunset. In the distance, the Key Bridge stretches across the river | Source: Getty Images

Advertisement

Husband, father of three, El Salvadorian Miguel Luna, a Maryland resident for over 19 years, left for work on the bridge at 6:30 p.m., and he never returned home.

Miguel Luna’s wife, María del Carmen Castellón, is “devastated” at the turn of events as she said, “They only tell us that we have to wait, that right now they cannot give information. [We feel] devastated, devastated because our hearts are broken because we don't know how they have been rescued yet. We are just waiting for the news.”

Advertisement

A colleague of the missing workers, Jesús Campos, added, “It hurts my heart to see what is happening. We are human beings and they are my coworkers,” Campos said. "First of all, God, be alive. It's what you want most."

More than 14 hours after the disaster, authorities announced the suspension of search and rescue efforts for the missing workers working on the bridge when it collapsed.

On Tuesday evening it still remained unclear how many vehicles fell into the water, or if there are any other victims. Initially, 8 workers on the bridge got caught up in the collapse, but emergency responders pulled two workers from the water early Tuesday.

Advertisement

One of the rescued workers was identified as an employee of Brawner Builders. Of the two rescued, one is uninjured and the other in “very serious condition.”

Advertisement

The tragedy occurred on Tuesday, just before 1:30 a.m., when the container vessel called DALI struck a bridge pillar.

According to the executive director and general counsel of the American Pilots Association, Clay Diamond, the ship's local pilot did what he could to prevent it from drifting towards the bridge, but failed due to another unforeseen situation.

Advertisement

“Just minutes before the bridge, there was a total blackout on the ship, meaning that the ship lost engine power and electrical power, it was a complete blackout,” Diamond said.

Even though the pilot called for the anchor to be dropped, and for the rudder to steer the ship as far left as possible, it did little to prevent the collision.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore elaborated on the situation in a statement.

Advertisement

“As a result (of the momentary loss of power), it was unable to maintain the desired heading and collided with the Francis Scott Key bridge,” the statement reportedly read.

Advertisement

The 984-foot-long vessel approached the bridge in the wrong part of the channel, instead of crossing right under the bridge where the clearance is the highest.

The NTSB has since launched a team to investigate the tragedy and will lead the investigation. Initial damage estimates to the bridge and ship are more than $ 500,000, and the Office of Marine Safety will investigate the probable cause.

If you found this article informative, subscribe to our Facebook page for more insights and updates.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Related posts

Dad of Two, 38, Vanishes after the Baltimore Bridge Tragedy: His Family Speaks Out

March 28, 2024

Container Ship That Crashed into Baltimore Bridge Was Also Involved in Antwerp Accident

March 28, 2024

Woman Loses Her Husband, Mother, and 8-Year-Old Son in One Tragic Moment – 'It's Unbearable'

February 05, 2024

23-Year-Old Man Goes Missing During Cruise After Sending Final Message to Wife, Leaving Her Heartbroken

March 27, 2024

Jon Bon Jovi Has Remained in Love with His Wife for 4 Decades – How Does She Look Now?

May 01, 2024

Boy, 6, Shields His 3-Year-Old Brother in Attempt to Save Him, But Tragically Both Die Later Side by Side

April 25, 2024

Jon Bon Jovi Has Remained in Love with His Wife for 4 Decades – How Does She Look Now?

February 01, 2024

Taylor Swift's Fans Discuss Why Seats at Her First Australia Concert Were Empty

February 22, 2024

14-Year-Old Illinois Girl Dies While Playing a Basketball Game at School

January 31, 2024

Washington Mom, 38, Dies in Her Van Enroute Homeschool Activity with Her Kids: Tragic Details

March 27, 2024

Policeman, 29, Tragically Dies at His Own Engagement Party, Leaving Pregnant Fiancée Heartbroken

March 14, 2024

Inside the Posh Estate Where Princess Catherine’s Brother Recovers from 'Cancer of the Mind'

April 16, 2024

Bruce Willis' Daughter Tallulah, 30, Transformed after Two Serious Diagnoses – Her before & after Pics

March 21, 2024

OJ Simpson Dies — Family Speaks Up with a Request in the Wake of His Passing

April 12, 2024