Bridge collapses in Washington state

 

Part of a four-lane freeway bridge over the Skagit River in Washington state collapsed on Thursday, sending vehicles and people into the water below, authorities said.

 The collapse on Interstate 5 took out the northbound and southbound sides of the span and occurred at about 7pm local time in Mount Vernon, 55 miles north of Seattle, Washington State Patrol spokesman Trooper Mark Francis said.

"I've got reports of vehicles and people in the water," Francis said. He added that he did not know if anyone was injured.

The cause of the collapse was not immediately known. It was not raining in the area, Francis said.