Coast Guard Says No Charges Filed in W.Va. Barge Accident Caused by High Water levels

Posted in Barge Accidents,West Virginia Maritime News on August 20, 2013

MONONGALIA COUNTY, W.Va. — After an investigation into a W.Va. barge accident on Tuesday, August 13, the Coast Guard has concluded that the barge that broke free from its moorings and hit the Star City Bridge, was caused by higher than normal water levels.

Photo shows the Star City Bridge in Monongalia County. It  reopened late Tuesday night on August 13, 2013 after it was hit by a runaway barge earlier in the evening.

The Coast Guard told the Dominion Post that that no charges will be filed against the barge’s owner, CONSOL Energy, or Greer Limestone, which leases the barge.

According to media reports, the barge hit the bridge’s base around 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 13, which closed the bridge for about four hours while the Coast Guard and the state Division of Highways checked it for damage.

Granville Police Chief Craig Corkrean says the impact of the collision knocked a 4-foot slab of concrete off the bridge’s base.

No injuries were reported.

Greer Limestone’s lawyer, Robert Gwynne, told the press that the company is thankful that damage to the bridge was minor and that the company is taking steps to avoid such incidents in the future.

The Star City Bridge carries Routes 19 and 7 over the Monongahela River near Morgantown.

Sources:
Dominion Post
Miami Herald

Blog post by barge injury lawyer Gordon & Elias, LLP