SALLISAW, Okla. — A bridge in Sallisaw was shut down earlier today after a barge struck it.
According to Oklahoma Highway Patrol, US-59 south of Sallisaw was shut down after a barge struck a bridge at the Kerr Reservoir near the Kerr Lock and Dam.
OHP says that troopers cleared the scene after diverting traffic and that the bridge was closed for over two hours while inspections were completed.
OHP encouraged drivers to detour using I-40, SH-2, and SH-9.
The LeFlore County Sheriff's Office shared on Facebook that law enforcement was notified of the incident by a fisherman at around 1:30 p.m. on March 30.
The post says that it's unknown if the bridge sustained any damage.
LCSO said that the Oklahoma Department of Transportation was able to inspect the bridge and determined that it was safe for vehicle travel. The bridge is now open again.
Dayton Holland was out fishing with her dad and boyfriend when it happened.
"I looked, just to check on the barge, and it's really close to the bridge. And I was like, 'Dad, I said, is it? Is it about to hit the bridge?' And he's like, 'No, I don't think so.' And he turns around and he looks at the beach and then he looks back at the bridge and he was like, 'Oh my God, yes. Like it's about to hit it,'" Holland recounted.
Holland said that when the barge hit the bridge it sounded like a gunshot.
"The initial hit was very loud. It sounded like gunshots going off, which was another scary thing," Holland said. "We never heard anything. And when the barge hit, they broke apart from each other, somewhat downriver and somewhat towards the bank."
Holland says she's thankful that the bridge remained intact.
"I'm so thankful that it didn't break the bridge. I couldn't imagine if it would have been worse, cars would have been going off. It was scary, honestly, but I'm just glad everyone's okay," Holland said.
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