Local News
Serious incident occurring on Lake Pontchartrain Causeway bridge
A significant incident on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, the world’s longest bridge over water, caused the closure of its northbound lanes on Saturday morning.
The bridge, which connects New Orleans to the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, was shut down after reports of an emergency surfaced.
Serious incident occurring on Lake Pontchartrain Causeway bridgehttps://t.co/OO8tJtJJut pic.twitter.com/zX5XVYKoXy— News Channel3 Now (@newschannel3now) November 16, 2024
The Causeway Commission issued an alert at approximately 11:40 a.m., notifying the public about the lane closure due to what was described as a “serious incident.”
Officials initially estimated the closure would last about an hour, though further updates were not immediately available.
Photos and videos captured by onlookers at the scene showed towering flames and thick black smoke rising from the bridge. Motorists were seen standing outside their vehicles, observing the incident as traffic came to a standstill.
Authorities have not released specific details about the nature of the incident or whether there were any injuries. Emergency responders are actively managing the scene, and an investigation is underway.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes until further notice. Updates from the Causeway Commission are expected as the situation develops.
HARTFORD, IL — Newly released video footage reveals the harrowing moments of an ARCH Air Medical helicopter crash that occurred during a nighttime training exercise in Hartford, Illinois.
The incident took place around 9:00 p.m. on Thursday in a vacant lot near North Delmar Avenue, directly across from the Hartford Fire Department.
The video shows the helicopter attempting to lift off when one of its rotor blades struck a tree limb approximately 50 feet above ground.
The impact caused the aircraft to lose control, flip, and crash to the ground, where it immediately caught fire.
A thick plume of smoke and the glow of flames could be seen from blocks away.
In the aftermath of the crash, one of the individuals on board — identified in the video by a blue uniform — can be seen walking away from the burning wreckage.
Another survivor is shown being carried on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance.
Emergency personnel from the Hartford, South Roxana, and Wood River Fire Departments quickly responded to the scene.
The crash’s proximity to the fire station allowed first responders to act swiftly, containing the fire and rescuing the occupants.
Officials confirmed that all three people aboard the helicopter survived and were transported to area hospitals.
Two were taken by ground ambulance, while a third was airlifted by another ARCH Air Medical helicopter. Their medical conditions have not yet been released.
The crash resulted in a strong odor of aviation fuel that permeated the downtown Hartford area throughout the evening.
Authorities cordoned off the site while crews worked to stabilize the scene and mitigate any fire hazards.
The helicopter was participating in a routine training mission when the incident occurred.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified and are conducting a full investigation into the cause of the crash.
ARCH Air Medical has not yet released an official statement.
More details will be provided as the investigation continues and additional information becomes available.