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Riverboat pilot dodges runaway barges
Posted: 08.04.2010 at 11:28 AM
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HANNIBAL, MO. (AP) -- As 62 passengers enjoyed a lazy ride on a Mississippi River excursion boat in Mark Twain's hometown, pilot Steve Terry saw something wrong: A tugboat and barges heading his way, but not attached.
In fact, the American Commercial Lines tugboat, the W.A. Kernan, had become separated from its 12 barges Monday after striking the center span of a railroad bridge at Hannibal.
The Hannibal Courier-Post reports that as Mark Twain Riverboat pilot and owner Steve Terry saw the barges coming at him, he moved the boat to safety on the Illinois side of the river.
Some of the barges struck the Mark Twain Memorial Bridge that carries vehicle traffic across the river. Missouri Department of Transportation crews examined both bridges and found no damage.
(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)