3 dead, at least 4 injured after bridge collapses in Mississippi

SIMPSON COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) - Three people have died and at least four were injured after a bridge collapsed in Mississippi on Wednesday, according to authorities.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) said the bridge over the Strong River on State Route 149 in Simpson County collapsed while work was being conducted at the site.

According to MDOT, the bridge has been closed to traffic since Sept. 18 as part of a bridge replacement project. The department said T.L. Wallace, the contractor for the project, was in the process of demolishing the bridge.

"An MDOT inspector was at the work site when the bridge collapsed and was unharmed. Sadly, there were fatalities as a result of the accident, and we extend our deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones," the department said in a statement.

Simpson County resident, Alisha Camper, told Nexstar's WJTV that it's a "very sad" situation.

"I'm praying for all the families involved," Camper said. "Stuff doesn't happen like this around here, and it's just a very sad occasion. It's just sad."

The victims have not been identified at this time, and the investigating is ongoing.