US President George W Bush today visited the highway bridge that crumbled into the Mississippi River in Minneapolis today.
After a helicopter survey of the site, President Bush met with and praised survivors and rescue workers and promised a rapid rebuilding of the span. He said he had been ‘impressed by not only their determination but I've been impressed by their compassion.’
Mr Bush added ‘We want to get this bridge rebuilt as quick as possible’.
Five people are now confirmed dead in the disaster, but only eight others are considered missing. About 80 people were injured.
But conditions for those attempting to recover bodies are treacherous, with swirling currents and parts of the bridge hampering divers' efforts.
Federal investigators are focusing on the south end of the bridge, which shifted about 15m as it collapsed while the rest of the bridge appeared to have collapsed in place.
Investigators will use a three-dimensional laser-imaging device to map out the scene of the accident, a process that will take several days.
Then they will begin creating computer simulations, which may help to explain how the accident happened.
