The memorial to the victims who died in the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge was vandalized.
The artist behind the memorial on Fort Armistead Road told 11 News that five of the seven panels of the mural had large holes punched in them Friday night. The memorial’s creators are not sure how many people were involved, but a report with police has been filed.
The six victims were honored Friday by workers who have jobs building and repairing roads. They not only wanted to pay tribute to the victims but to bring attention to how their work is critical and often dangerous.
Hard hats, candles and flowers were on display to remember those contractors who were filling potholes when the bridge went down.
“Essential workers who performed the dangerous yet critical work of the construction industry,” CASA’s Gustavo Torres said.
Video obtained by 11 News showed dashboard camera video of the work crew just two hours before the disaster. Two men survived. Divers found the bodies of two victims, the foreman on the job, Alejandro Hernandez-Fuentes, 35, of Baltimore, and worker Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26, of Dundalk.
Four others are still missing, including Maynard Sauzo Sandoval, who lived in Owings Mills. He was the married father of two children. He was originally from Honduras and lived in the U.S. for 17 years. Miguel Luna lived in Maryland for 19 years. He was a married father of three children, originally from El Salvador. Through an interpreter, other construction workers talked about the dangers they face.
“And I ask myself what would happen if I were to get injured or even worse,” worker Erica Aleman said.
The gathering was also intended to bring attention to the number of immigrants who come to the U.S. and work in dangerous or hazardous conditions with little protection.
“One day, I had a fall, fell into another roof. This is an experience that put me into great danger at work,” remodeler Darwin Orlando Lopez said.
Workers said they will not forget the sacrifice made by the bridge collapse victims.
ONFIRE-TV.com – Cranes continue to remove the wreckage of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge Saturday as Gov. Wes Moore and several Maryland officials provided an update during a press conference.
Gov. Wes Moore says the massive crane, which can lift up to 1,000 tons, is one of at least two used to clear the channel of the twisted metal and concrete remains of the fallen bridge and the cargo ship that collided with it this week.
“The best minds in the world” are working on the plans for removal, Moore said. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the Baltimore District told the governor that it and the Navy were mobilizing major resources from around the country at record speed to clear the channel.
The U.S. Navy will supply four heavy lift cranes, while 10 tugs, nine barges, eight salvage vessels and five Coast Guard boats will also join the effort.
He warned of a long road to recovery but said he was grateful to the Biden administration for approving $60 million in immediate aid. President Joe Biden has said the federal government will pay the full cost of rebuilding the bridge.