Bridge Collapse

Names Read, Flag Unfurled At I-35W Bridge Memorial

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ― Hundreds gathered in downtown Minneapolis Friday night to commemorate those who were killed and injured in the Interstate 35W bridge collapse.

Leading the march from Gold Medal Park to the Stone Arch Bridge were Governor Tim Pawlenty, First Lady Mary Pawlenty, Mayor R.T. Rybak and Senator Amy Klobuchar.

At the Stone Arch Bridge, the names of those who died were read. Below on a riverboat, the victim's families tossed wreaths into the river. In view of the new bridge still under construction, but the span now complete, white doves were released. At the date and time the bridge fell last year, an American flag was unfurled on the new bridge.

Among those who came to the earlier service was Andrea Whitaker. The 18-year-old said she planned to take the bridge that day at that very time, but her father warned her not to because of the construction.

"I can tell you exactly were he was sitting and exactly what he said and everything because it kept reflashing in my mind," sait Whitaker.

The Coulter family of Savage was on the bridge. Paula Coulter spent months in the hospital. Her husband Brad and their two daughters were also hurt.

"Not a day goes by where we don't think about it," said Paula.

For the Coulters, it was their first time back to the bridge site. Paula Coulter said the commemoration will help bring the family some closure.

"It's going to be a long time before its not thought of every day a lot, because we still have a lot of adjustments, things that we need to do to get better," she added.

At one point on the day of commemoration, a solitary bald eagle soared and circled the site that one year ago brought such chaos and heroism.

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