Northwest Indiana Discussion

What the F I just got the scoop tonight what happened it was at fireworks display at Hidden Lake.

11 missing in M'ville park bridge collapse

Eleven people were missing and several others were hurt late Saturday when a pedestrian bridge at Hidden Lake Park collapsed, sending at least 100 people into the water below. Details were incomplete late Saturday but dive teams from Porter and Lake counties were called into search the water. Divers arrived at the park around 11 p.m. At least 20 ambulances and more than 50 emergency vehicles were summoned amid what appeared to be confusion caused in part by the large number of vehicles that impeded rescue operations.

At least two people were seriously injured, officials said.

A human chain in the water was set up to search for potential victims but nobody was located.

“We were walking across, and everybody just stopped ... we heard two snaps, and we all went in the water,” said Seth Argullin, 29, of Merrillville.

The crowds had gathered at the park for the fireworks display and were leaving just after 10 p.m.

Emergency vehicles were hampered in rescue operations because of the crowd, police reported on radio. At least one helicopter was dispatched to provide lighting.

The park is at 63rd Avenue and Broadway in Merrillville.

Lake Ridge and Crown Point provided mutual aid for Merrillville fire protection. Northbound Broadway was shut down during the rescue operation.

The wooden suspension bridge is wide enough to accommodate vehicles. It was not known what caused its collapse.

Reports suggested at least two of the victims suffered broken bones.

St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart, The Methodist Hospitals in Merrillville and Saint Anthony Medical Center in Crown Point accepted the injured.