Four Men Rescued From Capsized Workboat

Witnesses watched as a bridge-construction workboat began taking on water, sending four people into 37-degree Mississippi River waters November 21.

Fortunately, the four workmen were able to attract the attention of the towboat Capt. York of Newt Marine, which was working nearby and quickly responded. Witnesses told local media that the passengers all climbed to safety aboard the Capt. York, whose crew also rescued equipment from the flat workboat. The boat was carrying two air compressors, among other equipment.

Several smaller vessels from the construction site also responded; witnesses said at least two of them belonged to Lunda Construction. Lunda Construction is the prime contractor on the I-74 Bridge project linking Moline, lll., and Bettendorf, Iowa. Bettendorf police and fire crews also responded within minutes.