I-40 Bridge Collapse Survivors Reach Out

Thursday, August 2nd 2007, 5:00 pm

By: News On 6

The Minnesota bridge collapse brings back memories of the I-40 bridge collapse in more than five years ago now. Fourteen people died after a barge slammed into the Interstate bridge near Webbers Falls, sending a 500-foot span into the Arkansas River. News On 6 Anchor Craig Day talked with two people who survived that tragedy. He reports their thoughts are now centered on Minnesota.

When the Interstate bridge spanning the Mississippi River collapsed during rush hour in Minneapolis, it immediately brought back memories for Max and Goldie Alley.

"I did think, oh my. So many lives will be changed,â€ Goldie Alley said.

The Alleys know that first hand. Their lives were changed on May 26th, 2002, when the I-40 bridge collapsed

"Every day when you put your feet beside the bed, you remember that day,â€ Max Alley said.

The Alleys were on their way to a church where Max Alley was set to preach. Their pickup landed on a fallen span of the bridge resting below. Both were seriously injured, but thankful to be alive.

"A lot of them think you have time to converse with the Lord on the way down, but you don't boy. Boom, boom, boom, and it is over with,â€ Max Alley said.

"I think that morning, I think he even looked down and said Max and Goldie, I'm not through with you. You still have work to do,â€ Goldie Alley said.

The Alleys have since shared their story of survival at hundreds of churches. They say they only survived and recovered with God's help. They're now praying for the families that lost loved ones in Minnesota and those who survived.

"They will have to draw close to the living God,â€ Max Alley said.

"I just say Lord please help the people they left behind, their loved ones, because they are going to need help,â€ said Goldie Alley.

"To take away the hurt, the pain of it, give them the ability and the will to proceed on in this life, those that are left behind,â€ Max Alley Said.

"I hurt for those people. I really did,â€ Goldie Alley said.

The Alleys say they are willing to go to any church that asks them to share their story of survival and recovery. They say that includes churches in Minnesota where people will be working to recover from the terrible bridge collapse there.

Watch the video: I-40 Bridge Collapse Victims React To Latest Bridge Tragedy

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