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A swinging pedestrian bridge collapsed Sunday afternoon in Giles County injuring several people. According to the Giles County Sheriff’s Office, the swinging bridge, which connects Route 100 and Patterson Ford Road (Rt. 749), collapsed at about 2 p.m. There were people on the bridge at the time it collapsed, and they fell into the river.
According to VDOT officials, the bridge was a swinging pedestrian bridge that is used primarily during flooding and is located near Virginia 811 (Bane Road). Sgt. Michael Conroy of the Virginia State Police told EverythingNRV,com that 10 people were on the bridge when it collapsed. Seven people fell into the river below and three hung on to the bridge. Several went to the hospital either by ambulance or drove themselves. There was one reported serious injury and the others were non-life threatening. Heidi McCoy, a VDOT spokeswoman said, crews are currently working to secure the area near the pedestrian bridge and gather information about what caused the bridge to collapse. The Route 749 pedestrian bridge was rebuilt in 1992 after portions of it were washed away by floodwaters. It was last inspected in May 2007 and found to be in good condition. Like all bridges in Virginia, pedestrian bridges are inspected at least once every two years. See more photos from this incident in slide show on the main page. Photo by Ron Walton
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Giles County 
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