Two hospitalized after bridge collapse

NORCATUR -- Two Norcatur residents ended up in the hospital in Norton after a bridge northwest of Norcatur, over the Sappa Creek, collapsed some time Thursday evening.

The Oberlin Herald reported that Kenny Cozad of Norcatur suffered facial injuries when his pickup either collapsed the bridge or fell through the bridge that was already partially collapsed. The pickup fell 20 feet into the creek bed.

Cozad walked to neighbors, who took him to the hospital in Norton.

Before the neighbor could get to the bridge to warn others, Greg Sumner, also of Norcatur, toppled his Suburban on top of Cozad's pickup.

The Herald reports that Sumner's two passengers were uninjured, but Sumner was taken, also by private vehicle, to the Norton hospital.

Neither Cozad nor Sumner were hospitalized over-night.

Deputy Barry Richards told Herald reporters that officers assume that heavy grain trucks over the bridge weakened its supports.

The 57-foot timber bridge was rated to carry six tons on two axles, and a maximum of 13 tons on five axles.