Overpass collapse kills 5 near Montreal

Quebec provincial police said Sunday that at least five people were crushed to death in their cars after an overpass near Montreal collapsed.
Rescue workers survey the site of an overpass in Laval, Quebec, on Saturday.
Ryan Remiorz / AP

Quebec provincial police said Sunday that at least five people were crushed to death in their cars after an overpass near Montreal collapsed.

Spokeswoman Isabelle Gendron said three people were found in one car and two others were found in another car trapped by the falling concrete in Laval.

The vehicles were crushed so badly in the Saturday afternoon collapse that they barely reached the knees of one firefighter when lifted from under tons of concrete rubble Sunday.

“At this point the rescue operation is completed,” said Gendron, noting that no other vehicles were trapped.

Drivers on Highway 19 in the Greater Montreal Area slammed on their brakes and watched in horror as the overpass slowly collapsed shortly after noon, sending cars plunging and crushing at least two vehicles.

Manon Joly had just dropped her daughter off at dance school and was in her car about to drive onto Highway 19.

“I slowed down and then all of a sudden everything collapsed like a house of cards,” she said. “There were three or four cars that plunged into the hole right in front of me.”

Police said six people were injured, including two who were listed in critical condition. The six were in two cars, a minivan and on a motorcycle that all plunged into the void.

‘I thought it was an earthquake’
Quebec provincial police spokeswoman Chantal Mackels said Saturday that three lanes of the overpass plus a pedestrian sidewalk collapsed onto Highway 19. She said four vehicles—a motorcycle, two cars and a minivan—were on the overpass at the time

The incident occurred before 1 p.m. One witness told TVA television network that he noticed that the road sunk an inch or two when he traveled over the overpass minutes earlier, so he called emergency dispatchers.

Jean-Nicolas Turcotte, who lives near the overpass, was woken up by the collapse.

“I was sleeping when the large crash woke me up. At first I thought it was an earthquake or an accident. I looked out the window and heard people screaming,” Turcotte said. “And I saw large puffs of smoke rising.”

Claude Canton was painting his house just off the highway when he heard a loud bang. He said he saw two cars that were stuck under rubble and one started to catch fire before police put it out with extinguishers.

Aerial helicopter shots showed two passenger cars and a van on their backs or on the sides over the wreckage of the collapsed overpass, blocking traffic for miles. Authorities closed the bridge further down connecting Laval with the island on Montreal to its south.

The incident was similar to the 2000 collapse of an overpass, also on the island of Laval north of Montreal, which killed one and injured two.

 

M20 bridge collapse: Injured biker, 73, recalls 'chaos'

Jim Shaw is being treated in hospital for three broken ribs

A motorcyclist who was injured when a pedestrian bridge collapsed on to the M20 has described how he threw himself off his bike to avoid the impact.

Jim Shaw suffered broken ribs when the footbridge near Maidstone was hit by a lorry carrying a digger on Saturday.

The 73-year-old was travelling at 70mph towards London when "chaos broke loose" and "bits were flying everywhere".

"I moved to the outside lane. There was only one place to go. I threw the bike on the floor and went under," he said.

Mr Shaw's bike was trapped under tonnes of concrete following the collapse.

Part of the bridge also fell on to a second lorry, the driver of which was treated for shock at the scene.

PA

Jim Shaw threw himself off his bike to avoid the impact

Speaking from his hospital bed in Tunbridge Wells, Mr Shaw said he had been "riding down the motorway, enjoying life as it goes by" on his bike when he was forced to take evasive action.

Describing what unfolded, he said "the bridge was coming down, almost like in slow motion, because it's eating its way through the lorry".

"But then it tore away from the other side. As that came down, it was a matter of throw the bike on the floor and go for it."

"I've a few broken ribs, but they mend," he said.

PA

Drivers described slamming on their brakes and hearing the collision

The bridge, between junctions three and four, came down on the London-bound carriageway just after 12:05 BST.

The M20 had to be closed in both directions as two large cranes worked to clear the road, which is the main route to the Channel Tunnel and Port of Dover.

It fully re-opened on Sunday, with the remaining part of the footbridge still hanging over the coast-bound side.

Officials have said the structure is safe and an operation to remove it will take place in the coming weeks.

No-one has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Urgent Safety Review Launched After Bridge Damage in Earthquake — Timely Response Protects Lives

 

 

In the early hours of the morning, a magnitude 5.7 earthquake rattled the city, shaking homes and businesses and prompting immediate safety inspections across key infrastructure. Among the affected structures was a major bridge, where one of its support columns showed visible damage.

 

Initial photos shared on social media sparked concern, but engineering assessments later confirmed the structural core remained intact. The damage, experts explained, was confined to the bridge’s outer concrete layer, which protects its steel-reinforced framework.

Immediate Safety Measures Prevent Casualties

Authorities acted within minutes of receiving reports, closing the bridge to all traffic and deploying emergency teams to assess the situation. Diversion routes were established to keep vehicles moving and prevent congestion in surrounding areas. Thanks to these swift measures, no injuries were reported.

Transportation Department spokesperson Julia Harper stated:

“Public safety is our highest priority. As soon as the damage was confirmed, the bridge was closed and inspected to ensure there was no risk to commuters.”

Expert Findings on the Damage

Dr. Elena Morales, a specialist in earthquake-resilient design, explained that while the quake caused cracks and partial detachment of the concrete shell, the main load-bearing steel remained unaffected. However, she stressed that exposed steel must be repaired promptly to prevent corrosion, which can weaken a structure over time.

Earthquake Impact Beyond the Bridge

Though most buildings sustained only minor cosmetic damage — such as cracked walls or fallen objects — inspections revealed that several overpasses and pedestrian walkways also experienced strain. This has renewed calls for upgrading older infrastructure, particularly bridges constructed before modern seismic safety standards were introduced.

Professor Adrian Lee from the University of California emphasized:

“Retrofitting is not just an option — it’s a necessity if we want older structures to withstand future seismic events.”

 

Social Media’s Role in Public Perception

Photos of the damaged pillar quickly circulated online, with some posts exaggerating the extent of the risk. City officials worked swiftly to provide accurate information and reassure the public, demonstrating the importance of clear communication during emergencies.

Planned Repairs and Timeline

Repair crews have already begun a four- to six-week restoration project, which will involve:

  • Removing compromised concrete.
  • Treating exposed steel to prevent rust.
  • Applying moisture-resistant protective coatings.
  • Rebuilding the outer layer with seismic-resistant materials.

Long-Term Safety Plans

The incident has prompted several city council members to propose a full-scale review of major infrastructure, including:

  • More frequent inspection schedules.
  • Increased funding for seismic retrofitting.
  • Public reports on safety ratings for key structures.

Council member Marisol Garcia summarized the city’s stance:

“We need to stay ahead of the problem, not wait until after damage occurs.”

A Reminder of Preparedness

While the bridge’s structural integrity prevented a disaster, the event serves as a reminder that proactive maintenance, modern design, and rapid emergency response are essential in earthquake-prone regions