Parking dock collapses into Savannah River

SAVANNAH - A portion of a parking lot on a floating dock collapsed Monday into the Savannah River, but there were no serious injuries, police said. <br> <br> The accident happened about 3:30 p.m. along River Street, a popular entertainment area of shops, restaurants and bars. Police said a water taxi was attempting to dock at the time, and Memorial Day visitors were strolling by. <br> <br> Savannah Fire Department Capt. Anthony Faust said erosion may have contributed to the landslide but officials had not determined an exact cause. <br> <br> Witnesses said they heard cracking and could see and feel the concrete parking deck sagging 10 to 12 feet into the river. A corner of the lot, about 10-by-30 feet, fell into the water, leaving a Chevy Lumina and a nearby Saturn precariously perched on concrete above the river. <br> <br> Three people from Indiana were trapped amid debris as they loaded the trunk of their car, but passers-by pulled them to safety. They were treated at the scene for minor cuts and bruises. <br> <br> ``We tried running. It just went too fast,&#39;&#39; said Christy Blake, 20, of Princeton, Indiana. ``I thought we were goners.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> ``All at once, the wall just fell in,&#39;&#39; said Charlie Stroud, an Indiana coal miner visiting with his girlfriend, Brenda Blake, and her daughter. <br> <br> City emergency workers shored up what was left of the parking lot. A section was angled down toward the water with large cracks in the concrete. <br> <br> A six-block section of River Street was closed to vehicular traffic. Pedestrians were limited to the sidewalk area closest to the businesses, which remained open.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/5/194204