A construction worker who narrowly avoided being on the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore as it collapsed has paid tribute to his colleagues.
Moises Diaz works for Brawner Builders, a firm that was carrying out maintenance work on the bridge when it collapsed on Tuesday (26 March).
The bridge was destroyed when the container ship Dali struck one of its support columns, causing it to collapse in seconds.
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“If I didn’t ask to switch, I would have been in the water right now," Diaz told the New York Post, adding: “It’s tragic. I’m really appreciative that I wasn’t on the bridge. I give thanks to God.”
Crew on board the ship were able to radio out a distress signal and alert police to stop traffic on the bridge, but Diaz's colleagues at Brawners Builders were already on it fixing potholes in the asphalt.
The team had been on their break when the bridge collapsed, sitting in their vehicles drinking coffee and eating.
Two bodies were found this morning (28 March) inside a red pickup truck which was submerged 25 feet underwater.
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The two bodies were identified as belonging to Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35, and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26.
Though a state inspector and a contractor were able to be rescued from the water, four other employees of Brawner Builders remain missing and are presumed dead.
Diaz identified the missing colleagues as Miguel Luna, Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, Jose, and Carlos.
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He paid tribute to them, saying: “They were good people. They were good citizens. They were good workers, hard-working. They were good family members, husbands and dads.”
The 45-year-old described how close he and his colleagues had been, saying: "We are all basically a family. We work 8-10 hour shifts and are all close to one another."
He went on to describe how the families of the deceased are now hoping that authorities will be able to recover their loved ones' bodies.
Diaz said: “They’re worried. They at least want to know that the bodies are in the water. All the families are hoping that they at least find the bodies of them.”
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Brawner Builders has also issued a statement on their website paying tribute to the people who died.
"This is a very sad time for Brawner Builders," the statement said.
It added: "Our company is in mourning over the loss of these fine people. But of course, our sense of loss cannot in any way compare to what their families are feeling."
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On March 27 rescuers halted their search and rescue operation and confirmed they would be switching to a recovery operation.
Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath told a news conference: "At this point we do not believe that we're going to find any of these individuals still alive."
Topics: News, US News, Baltimore bridge
Kit Roberts