Baltimore bridge collapse: Rescue efforts underway after cars plunge into the water

NBC 6 South Florida
26 Mar 202417:56

Summary

TLDRIn a press conference, Baltimore City Fire Department Chief James Wallace, along with Mayor Brandon Scott and other officials, provided an update on the search and rescue operation following the collapse of the Key Bridge in Baltimore. At least two people were rescued from the water, with one in serious condition. The operation is ongoing, with multiple agencies involved, including air and marine assets. The focus remains on the search and rescue efforts, with up to seven individuals still potentially missing. There is no indication of terrorism or intentionality behind the bridge collapse.

Takeaways

  • 🚨 The search and rescue operation is ongoing at the Patapsco River near the Key Bridge in Baltimore City after its collapse.
  • 🛑 The incident began with a 911 call for a water rescue at approximately 01:40 AM, escalating with multiple calls indicating people in the water.
  • 🚢 Initial reports suggest a ship may have struck the Key Bridge, leading to its collapse and people falling into the water.
  • 💡 At 01:50 AM, the first unit from the Baltimore City Fire Department arrived on the scene, confirming the complete collapse of the Key Bridge.
  • 🔍 Multiple agencies, including the Maryland State Police and Baltimore Police Department, are involved in the search and rescue with air and marine assets.
  • 🚁 The operation is dynamic, with a large area to cover, including surface and sub-surface water searches and the deck of the ship.
  • 🤕 Two individuals were rescued from the water; one refused service as they were not injured, while the other was seriously injured and transported to a trauma center.
  • 🔢 There are potentially upwards of seven individuals still missing, though the number has fluctuated throughout the morning.
  • 🛴 Sonar has detected the presence of vehicles submerged in the water, but an exact count is not yet available.
  • 🚨 There is no indication of terrorism or intentional action leading to the bridge collapse; the investigation is ongoing with the cooperation of federal and state agencies.

Q & A

  • What was the cause of the emergency operation mentioned in the script?

    -The emergency operation was initiated due to the collapse of the Key Bridge in Baltimore City, following reports that a ship may have struck the bridge, leading to its partial collapse and multiple people being in the water.

  • What time did the Baltimore City Fire Department receive the dispatch call for the water rescue?

    -The dispatch call for the water rescue was received by the Baltimore City Fire Department at approximately 0140 hours.

  • How many individuals were initially believed to be involved or affected by the Key Bridge collapse?

    -It was believed that there may be upwards of seven individuals involved or affected by the Key Bridge collapse.

  • What types of assets were deployed for the search and rescue operation?

    -The search and rescue operation deployed multiple air and marine assets from around the region, including assets from the Maryland State Police, Baltimore Police Department, and various local and state police agencies.

  • What technologies were utilized during the search and rescue operation?

    -Technologies used during the search and rescue operation included side-scan sonar, other sonar capabilities, underwater UAVs, and infrared technology from both air and water surfaces.

  • How many people were removed from the water, and what was their condition?

    -Two people were removed from the water; one individual refused service and was not injured, while the other was transported to a local trauma center in very serious condition.

  • What was the response of the ship's crew following the incident?

    -The ship's crew remained on board and established communications with the Coast Guard, which was part of the overall operation to manage the situation.

  • How is the investigation into the cause of the bridge collapse being handled?

    -The cause of the bridge collapse and related matters would be referred to law enforcement for investigation, as the primary focus of the operations mentioned was on search and rescue.

  • What were the challenges mentioned in conducting the search and rescue operation?

    -Challenges in conducting the search and rescue operation included dealing with water currents, darkness, and ensuring safety while diving near the debris field.

  • Was there any indication or evidence of a fuel spill from the vessel involved?

    -There was no confirmation of an active fuel spill from the vessel, although odors of diesel fuel were detected. The Maryland Department of the Environment and the Coast Guard were involved to assess the situation further.

Outlines

00:00

🚨 Fire Department Update on Key Bridge Collapse

Chief James Wallace of the Baltimore City Fire Department, joined by Mayor Brandon Scott and other officials, provides an update on the search and rescue operation following the collapse of the Key Bridge. A water rescue was initiated after a ship collision and subsequent bridge collapse at 0140 hours, with multiple people reported in the water. The first unit on the scene confirmed a complete bridge collapse, and two individuals were removed from the water, one with serious injuries. The operation involves multiple agencies and air and marine assets, with a large area to be searched including the water surface, sub-surface, and the ship deck. The focus is on searching for potentially upwards of seven individuals, with the situation being dynamic and the information subject to change.

05:01

🙏 Officials Express Support and Call for Unity

Mayor Brandon Scott and County Executive Oshefsky address the tragedy, emphasizing the need for prayers for the impacted families and gratitude for the first responders. They stress the ongoing and active nature of the search and rescue efforts, with a collective focus on finding and saving people. The officials also discuss the support received from state and federal partners, and the long road ahead in terms of search, rescue, and the aftermath of the incident. The conversation shifts to addressing the reporter's questions about the ship's crew, the first 911 call, and the potential number of people and vehicles involved in the collapse.

10:04

🔍 Ongoing Search and Rescue Efforts

The conversation continues with reporters asking for more details about the rescue operation. Chief Wallace confirms that the ship's crew is still on board and in communication with the Coast Guard. He also addresses the challenge of determining the exact number of people in the water, the presence of submerged vehicles detected by sonar, and the potential impact of the tide and darkness on the search efforts. The Chief discusses the decision-making process regarding when to consider a rescue non-survivable, relying on dive teams and experts to guide the operation.

15:06

🌆 Response to the Catastrophic Event

County Executive Oshefsky shares his shock and disbelief at the scale of the tragedy, likening the bridge collapse to scenes from an action movie. He emphasizes the community's focus on the families affected and the first responders working tirelessly to save lives. The discussion turns to the broader implications for the community and commerce, with the Mayor stressing that the immediate priority is the search and rescue efforts, not the bridge's reconstruction or the investigation into the cause of the collapse. The officials also address the absence of any indication of terrorism, with ongoing collaboration with federal agencies to gather intelligence.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Search and Rescue

Search and Rescue refers to the operation of locating and providing aid to individuals who are in distress or imminent danger. In the context of the video, it is the primary mission of the Baltimore City Fire Department and other agencies to find and save people who may have fallen into the water or are otherwise affected by the collapse of the Key Bridge.

💡Chief James Wallace

Chief James Wallace is the head of the Baltimore City Fire Department and is leading the emergency response to the incident. His role is crucial in coordinating the efforts of different agencies and providing updates to the public and media.

💡Key Bridge

The Key Bridge is a significant infrastructure in Baltimore that has reportedly collapsed in the incident described in the video. The bridge is a vital transportation link, and its collapse has led to a major emergency situation involving water rescues and potential casualties.

💡Water Rescue

Water rescue is a specialized operation to save individuals from drowning or other water-related emergencies. In the video, water rescue is a critical component of the response to the bridge collapse, as people are believed to have fallen into the water and require immediate assistance.

💡Collapse

A collapse refers to the sudden falling in or caving in of a structure. In this context, it describes the incident where the Key Bridge has completely collapsed, which has triggered the emergency response and search and rescue operations.

💡First Responders

First responders are professionals who are trained to arrive quickly and provide assistance in emergency situations, such as medical emergencies, natural disasters, or accidents. In the video, first responders include members of the fire department, police, and other agencies working together to manage the crisis and help those affected.

💡Sonar

Sonar is a technology that uses sound waves to detect and locate objects underwater. In the video, sonar is crucial for the search and rescue operation as it helps identify the presence of vehicles and potentially people submerged in the water following the bridge collapse.

💡Trauma Center

A trauma center is a medical facility equipped and staffed to provide care for patients with serious, life-threatening injuries. In the video, one individual rescued from the water is transported to a local trauma center due to the severity of their condition.

💡Underwater UAVs

Underwater UAVs, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, are remotely operated devices designed to navigate and perform tasks underwater. In the context of the video, these UAVs are being used to assist in the search and rescue operation by exploring and mapping the underwater environment around the collapsed bridge.

💡Inflatable Technology

Inflatable technology refers to the use of devices or systems that can be expanded or filled with air to provide support, protection, or visibility. In the video, inflatable technology is likely used by rescue personnel on the water to assist in the search and rescue operation, potentially to mark locations or to help with the recovery of individuals from the water.

💡Emergency Management

Emergency management involves the coordination of efforts to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters or emergencies. In the video, emergency management is demonstrated by the collaborative efforts of local and state agencies to address the crisis caused by the bridge collapse and to conduct a comprehensive search and rescue operation.

Highlights

Chief James Wallace provides an update on the search and rescue operation in Baltimore City.

Mayor Brandon Scott, Council President Mosby, and County Executive Scheffsky are present at the briefing.

A water rescue was dispatched for the Patapsco River near the Key Bridge after a ship collision.

Multiple calls indicated several people in the water following the incident.

The Key Bridge has collapsed, with multiple people likely on the bridge at the time.

Two individuals were removed from the water, with one refusing service and the other in serious condition.

Multiple agencies are involved in the ongoing search and rescue, including air and marine assets.

The operation is dynamic with a large area to be searched, including the surface and subsurface of the water and the ship deck.

Upwards of seven individuals are potentially missing and the search continues.

Mayor Scott emphasizes the tragedy and calls for prayers for the impacted families and first responders.

County Executive Oshefsky acknowledges the tragedy and the ongoing efforts of first responders.

The focus is on the search and rescue efforts and supporting the impacted families.

The crew of the ship is still on board and in communication with the Coast Guard.

The first 911 call's origin and the exact number of people in the water are still under investigation.

Sonar has detected the presence of submerged vehicles, but an exact count is not yet available.

The search and rescue operation is expected to continue for the next 8 to 12 hours with air and maritime assets.

There is no indication of terrorism or intentional action leading to the bridge collapse.

The priority is on the search and rescue efforts rather than the investigation or rebuilding at this time.

The community is stunned by the incident, and the focus should be on the humanity of those impacted and the efforts to save lives.

Transcripts

00:00

?

00:01

EVERYBODY READY?

00:03

HEY, GOOD MORNING.

00:05

MY NAME IS CHIEF JAMES WALLACE.

00:06

I'M CHIEF OF THE BALTIMORE CITY

00:08

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

00:09

I'M JOINED IN MORNING BY OUR

00:11

MAYOR, BRANDON SCOTT, COUNCIL

00:13

PRESIDENT MOSEBY, COUNTY

00:22

EXECUTIVE SCHEFFSKY.

00:24

OUR BRIEF THIS MORNING WILL BE

00:25

AN UPDATE ON THE SEARCH AND

00:27

RESCUE OPERATION ONGOING AT THIS

00:29

POINT.

00:30

AT APPROXIMATELY 0140 HOURS THIS

00:31

MORNING OUR 911 CENTER

00:33

DISPATCHED A CALL TO THE

00:34

BALTIMORE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT

00:35

FOR REPORT OF A WATER RESCUE IN

00:39

THE PATAPSCO RIVER IN THE AREA

00:39

OF THE KEY BRIDGE.

00:41

AS UNITS WERE RESPONDING THEY

00:43

BEGAN TO RECEIVE NUMEROUS CALLS

00:45

INDICATING MULTIPLE PEOPLE IN

00:46

THE WATER.

00:49

AT SOME POINT DURING THAT CHAIN

00:50

OF EVENTS OF CALLS WE BEGAN TO

00:53

RECEIVE INDICATIONS THAT A SHIP

00:56

MAY HAVE STRUCK THE KEY BRIDGE.

00:59

WE GOT FURTHER INFORMATION

01:00

THROUGH MULTIPLE CALLS THAT THE

01:03

KEY BRIDGE, PORTIONS OF THE KEY

01:05

BRIDGE HAD ACTUALLY COLLAPSED.

01:08

AT ABOUT 0150 HOURS OUR FIRST

01:10

UNIT ARRIVED ON SCENE AND

01:12

REPORTED A COMPLETE COLLAPSE OF

01:16

THE KEY BRIDGE.

01:17

WE WERE ALSO GIVEN INFORMATION

01:19

AT THAT TIME THAT THERE WERE

01:20

LIKELY MULTIPLE PEOPLE ON THE

01:22

BRIDGE AT THE TIME OF THE

01:25

COLLAPSE AND THAT AS A RESULT

01:26

MULTIPLE PEOPLE WERE IN THE

01:27

WATER.

01:28

WE WERE ABLE TO REMOVE TWO

01:31

PEOPLE FROM THE WATER.

01:33

ONE INDIVIDUAL REFUSED SERVICE

01:35

AND REFUSED TRANSPORT.

01:37

ESSENTIALLY THAT PERSON WAS NOT

01:39

INJURED.

01:39

HOWEVER, THERE WAS ANOTHER

01:40

INDIVIDUAL THAT'S BEEN

01:41

TRANSPORTED TO A LOCAL TRAUMA

01:43

CENTER THAT IS IN VERY SERIOUS

01:46

CONDITION.

01:47

AT THIS TIME WE HAVE MULTIPLE

01:49

AIR ASSETS FROM THE MARYLAND

01:52

STATE POLICE AS WELL AS THE

01:55

BALTIMORE POLICE DEPARTMENT AS

01:56

WELL AS MULTIPLE MARINE ASSETS

01:58

FROM AROUND THE REGION INCLUDING

02:02

BALTIMORE CITY, ANNE ARUNDEL

02:04

COUNTY, BALTIMORE COUNTY AS WELL

02:06

AS MULTIPLE LOCAL AND STATE

02:08

POLICE AGENCIES, NATIONAL

02:13

RESOURCES, POLICE, BPD SPECIAL

02:16

OPS UNIT IS IN HERE, MARYLAND

02:18

STATE POLICE IS HERE.

02:19

WE HAVE MULTIPLE RESOURCES.

02:21

WE ARE STILL VERY MUCH IN AN

02:23

ACTIVE SEARCH AND RESCUE POSTURE

02:25

AT THIS POINT.

02:26

WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE FOR SOME

02:28

TIME.

02:28

WE HAVE A LARGE AREA THAT WE

02:30

HAVE TO SEARCH.

02:32

THIS INCLUDES ON THE SURFACE OF

02:34

THE WATER, SUB SURFACE AS WELL

02:36

AS ON THE DECK OF THE SHIP

02:40

ITSELF.

02:40

WE BELIEVE AT THIS POINT WE MAY

02:45

BE LOOKING FOR -- WE MAY BE

02:47

LOOKING FOR UPWARDS OF SEVEN

02:50

INDIVIDUALS.

02:51

THAT'S THE LATEST INFORMATION WE

02:52

HAVE.

02:53

HOWEVER, WHAT I WILL SAY IS THE

02:55

INFORMATION THAT I'M GIVING YOU

02:58

RIGHT NOW IS AS OF RIGHT NOW.

02:59

IT IS WHAT WE KNOW RIGHT NOW.

03:01

THIS IS A VERY LARGE INCIDENT.

03:04

IT INVOLVES A VERY LARGE

03:07

FOOTPRINT.

03:07

MULTIPLE AGENCIES ARE OPERATING,

03:10

THEREFORE, INFORMATION IS

03:11

SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS WE GET MORE

03:13

INTEL AND AS OUR CREWS WORK

03:14

THROUGH THE MORNING.

03:18

OVER THE NEXT 8 TO 12 HOURS YOU

03:20

CAN EXPECT TO CONTINUE TO SEE

03:23

OUR AIR AND MARITIME ASSETS

03:25

FUNCTIONING OUT ON THE WATER AND

03:27

IN THE AIR ABOVE.

03:28

WE NEED TO DO DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

03:30

OF THE SHIP ITSELF BEFORE WE CAN

03:33

BOARD THAT SHIP, AND WE NEED TO

03:37

CONTINUE OUR SUBSURFACE SEARCH

03:40

WHICH IS INCLUDING DIFFERENT

03:41

TYPES OF SONAR.

03:43

WE HAVE SIDE-SCAN SONAR, WE HAVE

03:47

OTHER SONAR CAPABILITIES HERE.

03:48

WE HAVE UNDERWATER UAVs WE ARE

03:50

WORKING WITH, AND THROUGHOUT THE

03:51

NIGHT WE HAVE ALSO BEEN WORKING

03:53

WITH INFRARED TECHNOLOGY, BOTH

03:55

FROM THE AIR AND ON THE WATER

03:57

SURFACE.

03:58

SO I'M GOING TO WRAP UP HERE

03:59

WITH JUST SAYING THIS CONTINUES

04:01

TO BE A SEARCH AND RESCUE

04:03

OPERATION.

04:03

IT CONTINUES TO BE A VERY

04:07

DYNAMIC OPERATION WITH MULTIPLE

04:12

LOCAL AND STATE AGENCIES

04:15

INVOLVED.

04:16

I WILL TURN IT OVER TO OUR

04:18

MAYOR, BRANDON SCOTT.

04:19

>> THANK YOU, CHIEF.

04:20

THIS IS AN UNTHINKABLE TRAGEDY.

04:22

WE HAVE TO FIRST AND FOREMOST

04:24

PRAY FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE

04:26

IMPACTED, THOSE FAMILIES.

04:28

PRAY FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS

04:30

AND THANK THEM, ALL OF THEM

04:32

WORKING TOGETHER, CITY, STATE,

04:35

LOCAL, TO MAKE SURE WE ARE

04:36

WORKING THROUGH THIS TRAGEDY.

04:38

THIS IS AN ONGOING, ACTIVE

04:42

RESEARCH THAT WE'RE HAVING RIGHT

04:44

NOW.

04:44

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE, AS YOU

04:46

HEARD FROM CHIEF WALLACE,

04:47

THROUGHOUT AS LONG AS WE HAVE TO

04:48

BE DOING THAT.

04:49

WE WILL DO IT.

04:50

BUT WE HAVE TO BE THINKING ABOUT

04:51

THE FAMILIES AND PEOPLE

04:54

IMPACTED, FOLKS WHO WE HAVE TO

04:57

TRY TO FIND AND SAVE.

04:58

THIS IS WHAT OUR FOCUS SHOULD BE

05:00

ON RIGHT NOW, AND WE' GOI PARTN

05:03

WITH EVERY PART OF GOVERNMENT TO

05:05

DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO GET

05:07

US THROUGH THE OTHER SIDE OF

05:08

THIS TRAGEDY.

05:09

WITH THAT I'LL TURN IT OVERN IT

05:13

COUNTY EXECUTIVE OSHEFSKY.

05:21

>> THANK YOU.

05:22

I THINK WE ALL WOKE TO

05:27

UNSPEAKABLE TRAGEDY.

05:28

AS THE MAYOR SAID, THERE WILL BE

05:30

FAMILIES IMPACTED THROUGHOUT.

05:33

I WILL ECHO AND LIFT UP PRAYERS

05:34

FOR THOSE IMPACTED AND ASK THAT

05:37

RESIDENTS PRAY FOR OUR FIRST

05:38

RESPONDERS.

05:39

THEY HAVE BEEN ON SCENE SINCE

05:40

VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING, NOT

05:41

ONLY CONDUCTING INITIAL SEARCH

05:43

AND RESCUE OPERATIONS BUT

05:45

PLANNING FOR ADDITIONAL ONES AS

05:46

THE SUN COMES UP AND, YOU KNOW,

05:48

THE WORK THAT THEY DO CANNOT BE

05:51

UNDERSTATED.

05:52

I WANT TO JUST THANK THEM FOR

05:53

ALL THAT THEY ARE DOING AND WILL

05:55

DO IN THE HOURS AND DAYS AHEAD.

05:57

WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE A LONG ROAD

05:59

AHEAD, NOT JUST IN THE SEARCH

06:00

AND RESCUE BUT IN THE FALL-OUT

06:02

FOLLOWING THIS.

06:03

I THINK WE APPROPRIATELY HAVE

06:05

OUR ATTENTION ON THE

06:08

SEARCH-AND-RESCUE EFFORTS

06:09

CURRENTLY, AND JUST HERE

06:10

ALONGSIDE OUR PARTNERS IN THE

06:11

CITY TO SAY THAT THEY HAVE OUR

06:13

FULL SUPPORT JUST AS WE WANT TO

06:16

THANK OUR STATE PARTNERS FOR THE

06:18

RESOURCES THEY'VE OFFERED UP AS

06:20

WELL AS THE FEDERAL PARTNERS WHO

06:22

HAVE ALREADY REACHED OUT.

06:22

THE MAYOR AND I HAVE TALKED TO

06:24

THE GOVERNOR.

06:24

WE HAVE HEARD FROM THE SECRETARY

06:26

OF TRANSPORTATION.

06:27

SO COLLECTIVELY WE THANK

06:29

EVERYONE FOR THEIR THOUGHTS,

06:31

THEIR WELL WISHES, BUT, AGAIN,

06:32

THIS IS A VERY ACTIVE SITUATION

06:33

AND WE WANT TO JUST THANK THE

06:36

CHIEF AND OUR TEAMS FOR ALL THE

06:37

GREAT WORK THEY'RE DOING.

06:38

WITH THAT I WILL TURN THINGS

06:39

BACK OVER TO THE CHIEF.

06:45

>> THANK YOU.

06:46

WE WILL TAKE SOME Q & A RIGHT

06:48

NOW.

06:48

I WILL GO AROUND AND HAVE

06:50

EVERYONE PRESENT THEIR

06:51

QUESTIONS.

06:52

>> Reporter: CHIEF, CAN YOU TELL

06:52

US WHERE THE CREW OF THE SHIP

06:55

IS?

06:55

YOU ALSO MENTIONED TOO THAT TWO

06:57

PEOPLE WERE RESCUED.

06:58

WHO MADE THE FIRST 911 CALL?

07:02

THERE WERE REPORTS THERE WAS A

07:03

CREW ON THE DECK OF THE SHIP

07:04

WORKING AT THAT POINT.

07:05

COULD YOU CONFIRM ANY OF THAT?

07:07

>> THE LATEST INFORMATION WE

07:08

HAVE ON THE CREW OF THE SHIP IS

07:09

THAT THEY ARE STILL ON BOARD THE

07:14

SHIP.

07:14

THERE'S BEEN COMS BETWEEN THE

07:16

SHIP CREW AND THE COAST GUARD.

07:17

SO AS PART OF THE OVERALL

07:20

OPERATION WE COMMUNICATE THROUGH

07:21

THE COAST GUARD WITH THE SHIP.

07:22

I'M SORRY, YOUR OTHER QUESTIONS?

07:24

>> Reporter: THERE WERE TWO

07:25

PEOPLE TAKEN.

07:26

WHO MADE THE FIRST 911 CALL IN.

07:28

>> I DON'T KNOW WHO MADE THAT

07:29

CALL YET.

07:29

>> Reporter: OKAY.

07:30

WERE THERE OTHER WORKERS ON THE

07:31

DECK OF THE SHIP, OR THE DECK OF

07:33

THE BRIDGE AT THIS POINT?

07:34

WE HAVEN'T HEARD THAT

07:35

INFORMATION.

07:35

CAN YOU CONFIRM THAT?

07:37

>> WE'RE BEING TOLD THERE WERE

07:39

WORKERS ON THE BRIDGE.

07:40

WE HAVE YET TO CONFIRM THAT.

07:42

WE'LL WORK WITH MDTA OBVIOUSLY

07:45

TO GET THAT INFORMATION.

07:46

>> Reporter: ABOUT HOW MANY CARS

07:47

WERE ON THAT SHIP, LAST

07:49

QUESTION -- ON THE DECK OF THE

07:50

BRIDGE AT THE TIME OF THE

07:51

COLLAPSE?

07:52

>> DON'T HAVE A NUMBER.

07:53

I CAN TELL YOU OUR SONAR HAS

07:56

DETECTED THE PRESENCE OF

07:57

VEHICLES SUBMERGED IN THE WATER.

07:59

I DON'T HAVE A COUNT OF THAT

08:01

YET.

08:01

>> Reporter: CHIEF, YOU

08:02

MENTIONED UPWARDS OF SEVEN

08:03

INDIVIDUALS THAT YOU ARE LOOKING

08:05

FOR.

08:05

WE HAVE HEARD REPORTS OF AS MANY

08:07

AS 20 INDIVIDUALS.

08:08

CAN YOU JUST PAINT A PICTURE OF

08:10

ABOUT HOW MANY PEOPLE ACTUALLY

08:11

FELL IN THE WATER, HOW MANY WE

08:13

MIGHT BE LOOKING TO RESCUE AND

08:15

BEING GIVEN AN IDEA HOW MANY

08:17

VEHICLES, ALL THOUSAND MIGHT NOT

08:18

HAVE THE ANSWER, BUT REALLY JUST

08:19

THE CIRCUMSTANCES?

08:21

>> I WILL START WITH THE LAST

08:22

ONE.

08:23

I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY VEHICLES

08:24

YET.

08:24

I KNOW WE HAVE DETECTED THE

08:25

PRESENCE OF VEHICLES.

08:26

AS FAR AS THE NUMBER BETWEEN THE

08:28

SEVEN AND 20, THAT'S BEEN A

08:30

DYNAMIC COUNT THROUGHOUT THE

08:33

MORNING.

08:33

JUST GIVEN THE FACT THAT WE

08:34

HAVEN'T YET NAILED THAT NUMBER

08:36

DOWN, WE DO BELIEVE THAT AT

08:38

LEAST SEVEN ARE INVOLVED IN

08:40

THAT, AT LEAST SEVEN AT THIS

08:43

POINT.

08:43

>> Reporter: THAT FELL INTO THE

08:45

WATER?

08:45

>> YES, MA'AM.

08:45

>> Reporter: AND I KNOW YOU SAID

08:47

THE CREW WAS ACCOUNTED FOR FOR

08:51

THE COAST GUARD ON DECK.

08:52

DO WE KNOW IF ANY OF THE CREW

08:55

MEMBERS WERE PART OF THE SEVEN

08:57

PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE BEEN IN THE

08:59

WATER?

09:00

>> WE DO NOT.

09:01

>> Reporter:

09:01

[ INAUDIBLE ] .

09:12

>> SO WE WILL BE GUIDED BY OUR

09:13

DIVE TEAMS.

09:14

WE WILL DETERMINE WHAT THE

09:15

TEMPERATURE OF THE WATER IS.

09:16

THE OTHER ISSUE WE HAVE OUT

09:17

THERE IS THIS WATER IS CURRENT

09:21

INFLUENCED.

09:22

SO RIGHT NOW WE THINK THE TIDE

09:23

IS COMING BACK IN.

09:24

THAT ADDS A BIT OF A CHALLENGE

09:25

TO US ALSO.

09:26

WE CAN CERTAINLY DIVE IN THESE

09:28

CONDITIONS, BUT WE HAVE TO TAKE

09:29

A LOT OF FACTORS INTO PLAY,

09:31

RIGHT.

09:31

THE FACT THAT THERE MAY BE

09:32

TRAUMA INVOLVED.

09:33

THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE WATER AN

09:35

EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, BUT

09:37

ALSO, REMEMBER, WE ARE BATTLING

09:39

DARKNESS.

09:40

SO, YOU KNOW, IT IS QUITE

09:40

POSSIBLE THAT WE MAY HAVE

09:42

SOMEBODY THERE THAT WE'VE NOT

09:44

SEEN YET, AND AS THEY WORK

09:45

CLOSER TO THE DEBRIS FIELD, YOU

09:48

KNOW, THEY'LL OBVIOUSLY MAKE

09:49

THOSE DETERMINATIONS.

09:50

BUT WE'RE GOING TO RELY ON THE

09:53

EXPERTS WHICH ARE OUR DIVE

09:54

MASTERS THAT ARE HERE, OUR DIVE

09:56

TEAM TO TELL US WHEN THEY

09:58

BELIEVE WE'VE REACHED THAT

10:04

NONSURVIVABLE POINT.

10:05

>> Reporter: CHIEF, IS THERE ANY

10:11

INDICATION -- [ INAUDIBLE

10:12

QUESTION ] --

10:17

>> WE DO NOT HAVE THAT

10:18

INFORMATION WITH REGARD TO THE

10:19

INVESTIGATION.

10:20

I WOULD REFER THAT TO LAW

10:24

ENFORCEMENT.

10:24

MY FOCUS SINCE 1:40 THIS MORNING

10:26

HAS BEEN THAT RESCUE OPERATION.

10:29

>> Reporter: SO FAR THERE'S BEEN

10:30

NO INDICATION OF ANY KIND OF

10:32

LIKE EMERGENCY THAT CAME FROM

10:34

THAT SHIP REPORTED?

10:35

>> I HAVE NO INFORMATION ABOUT

10:36

THAT, MA'AM.

10:36

>> Reporter: HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE

10:37

TO TALK TO THE PILOT, THE

10:39

AMERICAN PILOT ON THAT BRIDGE?

10:41

>> THE PILOT ON THE VESSEL?

10:43

>> Reporter: YES.

10:43

>> WE HAVE NOT TALKED TO THE

10:45

PILOT ON THE VESSEL.

10:46

THE RESCUE PERSONNEL, THE RESCUE

10:48

OPERATION, WE HAVE NOT

10:51

INTERACTED.

10:52

>> BACK OVER HERE.

10:52

[ INAUDIBLE QUESTION ]

10:56

>> I DON'T HAVE AGE --

11:00

I'M SORRY.

11:03

>> Reporter: [ INAUDIBLE

11:03

QUESTION ].

11:04

>> I DON'T HAVE AGE AND GENDER

11:06

ON EITHER.

11:06

ONE PERSON REFUSED SERVICE,

11:09

REALLY THEY WEREN'T INJURED.

11:10

THE SECOND PATIENT HOWEVER WAS

11:12

SERIOUSLY INJURED AND IS AT AN

11:13

AREA TRAUMA CENTER.

11:15

>> Reporter: ARE YOU INCLUDING

11:16

THEM IN THE AT LEAST SEVEN

11:19

PEOPLE?

11:19

>> WE DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE PART

11:20

OF THAT SEVEN.

11:21

>> Reporter: OKAY.

11:21

>> THE PATIENT IS INJURED

11:23

SEVERELY ENOUGH WE HAVE NOT BEEN

11:24

ABLE TO DEBRIEF THAT PATIENT.

11:27

>> Reporter: THAT NUMBER THAT

11:28

COMES FROM -- WHERE DOES THAT

11:31

NUMBER COME FROM?

11:31

IS IT JUST FROM THE SONAR HITS

11:33

THAT YOU GOT?

11:34

>> NO, IT WAS THE INITIAL

11:35

INFORMATION THAT WE GOT AS WE

11:37

WERE ARRIVING ON THE SCENE, THAT

11:38

NUMBER.

11:39

THAT NUMBER, AGAIN, AS I SAID

11:40

EARLIER, HAS FLUCTUATED, RIGHT.

11:43

THAT SEVEN HAS BEEN A CONSISTENT

11:45

NUMBER.

11:47

>> Reporter: HOW MANY AGENCIES

11:48

ARE HERE ASSISTING RIGHT NOW?

11:50

>> OH, WOW.

11:54

DOZENS.

11:54

I MEAN LOCALLY, YOU KNOW, FIRE

11:56

DEPARTMENT WISE, BALTIMORE

11:57

COUNTY IS HERE, HOWARD COUNTY IS

12:00

HERE, HARTFORD WAS HERE, PG WAS

12:03

HERE, ANNE ARUNDEL.

12:05

OF COURSE, BALTIMORE CITY, AND A

12:07

LOT OF THOSE AGENCIES ARE HERE

12:09

BY VIRTUE OF THE FACT THEY MAY

12:10

HAVE SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT THAT

12:12

WE NEED DURING AN INCIDENT LIKE

12:16

THIS.