A bakery worker who narrowly escaped the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore last week is counting his blessings after being one of the last individuals to cross the bridge before the tragic incident.
Larry Desantis, the head baker at Herman’s Bakery in Dundalk, shared his harrowing experience of crossing the bridge just moments before disaster struck. Desantis recalled that he passed the bridge around 1:26 to 1:27 a.m. on his way to work, narrowly avoiding the catastrophic event that unfolded at 1:29 a.m. when a support pillar was struck by the cargo ship Dali.
Reflecting on the close call, Desantis expressed gratitude for his safety, acknowledging that had he been just one minute later, he might not have survived. Maryland Transportation Authority Police had issued a traffic halt on the bridge shortly before the collision occurred.
Desantis described the eerie atmosphere on the bridge, noting the absence of vehicles during his crossing, which was a stark contrast to the usual traffic flow of tractor-trailers. He only became aware of the bridge collapse when a concerned co-worker contacted him, informing him of the devastating event.
The collapse of the bridge resulted in the tragic loss of six construction workers, with only two bodies recovered from the Patapsco River as of Monday. Maryland Governor Wes Moore emphasized the hazardous conditions that hindered rescue efforts, citing unsafe conditions for divers due to inclement weather and debris in the water.
Moore highlighted the challenges posed by the wreckage and remnants of the Key Bridge in the water, underscoring the complexities of the ongoing rescue operation. The community continues to mourn the lives lost in the bridge collapse, while efforts persist to recover the remaining victims and assess the structural damage caused by the incident.
