Tow, barges hit bridge support near Thebes

At least two barges and a towboat were damaged when they collided with a bridge support of the Thebes Bridge on Wednesday morning at Thebes, Illinois.

One barge was pinned against the support on the eastern side of the Mississippi River, and the other is at the bottom of the middle of the channel, according to Coast Guard Lt. Chris Pence.

Pence said the barges were part of a 30-barge grouping, all carrying grain, being towed its way downriver. He said river traffic will be closed as a part of a safety zone between mile marker 45 near Thebes to mile marker 20 near Roth, Illinois.

All 30 of the barges were knocked loose when the towboat struck a bridge support, and the company was in the process of locating each of them, Pence said.

Pence declined to name the company that owns the barges.

The salvage company is working to cover the damaged barges.

Pertinent address:

Thebes, Illinois

Roth, Illinois