Atlanta bridge collapse fatality identified

ATLANTA - The man killed when the pedestrian bridge at the Atlanta Botanical Garden collapsed Friday morning has been identified.

Officials with the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Officer said 66-year-old Angel Chupin of Marrietta died from blunt force injuries. At least 18 others were injured.

Contractors were pouring concrete on the ``canopy walk,'' which climbed as high as 40 feet, when it gave way. Witnesses described a frenzied scene as dozens of workers tumbled to the ground.

Electrical worker Juan Padilla said he and another worker had just started a break after installing wires under the bridge when he heard a deafening boom.

Atlanta Fire Battalion Chief Ken Byers said all the injured workers were on the bridge when it collapsed. Nearby Piedmont Park was filled with joggers and others visitors.

Authorities have few details of what caused the collapse. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration says four federal investigators are looking into it.

Sixteen of those injured were taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, which was teeming with family and friends of the victims anxiously awaiting updates.

Seven workers injured in the fatal collapse have been released from the hospital, but 11 are still being treated. Seven are in intensive care.

Grady Memorial Hospital officials refused to release the conditions of the 11 still hospitalized. But at least some of them suffered serious head and spinal injuries.

Contractors were pouring concrete on the bridge when it gave way, shedding dozens of workers as it tumbled about 40 feet to the ground. The cause of the accident might not be known for months.