By Brandon O’Connor and John Surratt

The Vicksburg Post

A 30-barge tow struck the old U.S. 80 bridge crossing the Mississippi River in Vicksburg about 2 p.m. Thursday sinking a grain barge.

Petty officer Erik Brehaut with the United States Coast Guard Sector Lower Mississippi River said the tug Jeffrey G was traveling southbound on the river when it struck the bridge. Bridge Superintendent Herman Smith said the tow struck pier 4, which is on the Louisiana side of the bridge. The bridge’s flag flies over that spot. He said the railroad bridge was closed while a bridge engineer examined the pier, but has since reopened.

Warren County sheriff Martin Pace said some of the 30 barges in the tow broke free and one of them sank following the collision. The other barges were corralled with help from Ergon Marine.

“There is no danger to the public and no hazardous material involved,” Pace said.

The Jeffrey G is part of the Marquette Transportation Company’s river fleet with a home port of St. Louis, Missouri.