BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — The Mississippi River has been closed for five miles at Baton Rouge after grain barges broke loose from a tow and two of them sank. The barges sank near the U.S. 190 bridge, which was closed briefly for inspection.
Coast Guard Senior Chief Michael Berry says two barges sank and two were corralled at the bank. He did not know if high water contributed to the accident Friday. He says the river was closed for the investigation. He did not know when it might reopen.
Coast Guard Petty Officer Bill Colclough (COLE-clock) says no injuries or pollution were reported after the barges broke loose around 2 p.m.
Louisiana’s transportation department says the bridge was reopened about 2:30 p.m.
Berry did not know who owned the tug.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
