Barge accident knocks 7 workers into Smithville Lake

One person was rushed by medical helicopter from the scene. Six workers were taken by ground ambulance to hospitals. Missouri Highway Patrol said the incident occurred about 9:15 a.m. The workers were doing bridge work on County Road W at Smithville Lake. MHP Sgt. Bill Lowe said the workers were installing steel support beams on the bridge’s underside. Too many beams on one side caused the barge to become unbalanced. Realizing the barge was about to capsize, the workers jumped into the frigid waters.