More on McAlpine barge pileup

I haven't seen new photos of the barge pileup at McAlpine today.

There is this statement from the Corps of Engineers today.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Coast Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers and Tennessee Valley Towing Company, the responsible party, are continuing their response to a tug and barge accident on the Ohio River in Louisville, Kentucky, Thursday.

The Coast Guard reopened the Ohio River to all vessel traffic from Twelve Mile Island to McAlpine Lock and Dam.

Traffic movement is currently only permitted during daylight hours and with an assist vessel, which is available pre-stationed at McAlpine Lock and Dam.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley received a report at approximately 8:10 p.m., Tuesday, that the towing vessel Debbie Graham, which was pushing 15 loaded coal barges, made contact with the 2nd Street Bridge on the Ohio River.

The contact caused the vessel’s 15 barges to break free.

Six barges have been recovered.

The Army Corps of Engineers reported nine barges are lying on the dam just above the falls and three have capsized.

The Coast Guard is working with the Army Corps of Engineers and the responsible party to plan and direct response efforts using a variety of resources.

The cause of the incident is still under investigation.

Here is an article from The Courier-Journal with more information, if you can read around the ad that wants you to subscribe.

UPDATE: The WAVE-TV Facebook page has video of the towboat and its barges striking the bridge. The boat was upbound coming out of the locks when for some reason the current grabbed it, turned it sideways and pushed it into the bridge pier or piers. It happened at night so it's not that easy to see, but you can see it.

Here is a link to the video.