Maryland Governor says 'mayday' call by ship crew saved many lives before crashing into Baltimore bridge

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND: A caution issued by the crew members on the cargo ship that crashed at the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday morning, March 26, reportedly helped save multiple lives, authorities have said, according to People. 

At a press conference on the day of the catastrophic incident, Maryland Governor Wes Moore said that the vessel lost power shortly before it crashed into the Baltimore bridge, prompting crew members to issue a “mayday” call. 

Just a few moments later, the collision occurred at about 1.30 am local time and the 1.6-mile bridge fell into the Patapsco River. 

The advance warning helped 'stop the flow of traffic'

The governor further noted that the warning beforehand helped to “stop the flow of traffic so that more cars were not on the bridge” at the time of the crash and collapse. “Many of the vehicles were stopped before they got on the bridge, which saved lives,” the governor told reporters Tuesday morning, March 26. He then went on to praise all of the individuals who delivered the warning and stopped traffic.

“These people are heroes,” Moore said, adding “They saved lives.”

President Joe Biden also credited personnel onboard the ship

At a subsequent press conference at the White House, President Joe Biden also credited personnel onboard the ship for warning the Maryland Department of Transportation "that they lost control of their vessel." “As a result, local authorities were able to close the bridge to traffic before it was struck, which undoubtedly saved lives," he added.

The crash is believed to be a case of accident

According to the governor, the crash involving the cargo ship appears to have been an accident. He said the vessel was operating at "a very, very rapid speed" at the time of the crash.

Authorities said in an update on Tuesday,  March 26, that six construction workers who were on the bridge when it collapsed remain missing. A couple of other individuals were rescued, one of whom was hospitalized in a "very serious condition."

Maryland senator Chris Van Hollen offered condolences to those who lost lives

Both Moore and Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen offered thoughts and prayers to those impacted by the tragedy. “All of our hearts are broken,” Moore said at Tuesday, March 26, press conference. “We feel your loss. We’re thinking of you, and we will always be thinking of you,” Hollen said.

Ship traffic has been suspended in the Port of Baltimore until further notice, the president has said, according to the outlet.