Breaking news - Skyway Bridge closed in both directions (St. Petersburg, FL)

Bay News 9 ^ | 7-1-2002 | Bay News 9

[small_l_libertarian]

The Florida Highway Patrol and Pinellas County officials responded to a call this morning that reported two suspicious men on the bridge.

The men appeared to be lowering a strange package. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is calling this a bomb threat.

"We have closed the bridge in both directions," said Sterling King, a spokesperson with the FHP. "There are people at the site now investigating."

In addition to closing the bridge to traffic, the Coast Guard and FDLE have shut down the shipping lanes under the expansion.

A driver reported seeing two "Non-American" men standing near the top of the span. The men were lowering a box-like package.

Stayed tuned to Bay News 9 for more details on this breaking story.

[ResistorSister]

A driver reported seeing two "Non-American" men standing near the top of the span...

What does a Non-American look like?

[r9etb]

What does a Non-American look like?

LOL! It's the new, sensitive way of profiling.

I'm betting these guys were lowering a crab trap.

[Dallas]

What does a Non-American look like?

Janet Reno

.....no wait....that would be Un-American....my mistake.

[dawn53]

You'd have to have a pretty loooooong rope for that crab trap, LOL.

All traffic is being detoured. Boy that's a long trip around for somebody trying to get from Pinellas to Manatee county. All the way back through Tampa to the Interstate.

[small_l_libertarian]

My boyfriend is watching on TV and says that the anchor originally described the men as middle-eastern looking. Don't have access to a TV myself, so can't confirm.

[mhking]

Live Audio Only Stream: Bay News 9, Tampa (Real Player)

[dawn53]

We're watching local news. Radio first reported Middle Eastern. Now they're saying, "non American."

It's closed to traffic, boats, and planes. I think the precaution is because of the proximity to Central Command at MacDill.

[TightSqueeze]

What does a Non-American look like?

I am not sure what the men looked like, but this is what they were seen driving.

[Dog Gone]

If they were lowering the "package", it's not a bomb. Those need to be attached to a bridge support to do any damage.

[mombonn]

El Reño is non-human!

[KSCITYBOY]

Has anyone noticed in all these incidents - The people observing just let the alledged perps walk or drive away. I think at the very least I would follow in my car if I really thought there was some kind of threat to the US.

[anniegetyourgun]

Vigilance!

[r9etb]

It's closed to traffic, boats, and planes.

LOL! I guess that's one way to remain inconspicuous.

"Hey, Mr. Airplane Pilot Teacher. I want to learn to drive plane. I no terrorist. I don't want to learn to fly. I stay on ground! I just taxi my airplane across big bridge....."

[2banana]

You could not damage a bridge with a truck load of explosives - one or two hand held packages won't even scratch the paint.

[mhking]

It's closed to traffic, boats, and planes.

Yeah, awful rough to try to land a plane on that bridge when there's no traffic on it...

[dawn53]

Of course, I meant they've restricted the airspace. But we did have a plane land on a road the other day and had a wreck with a car, LOL.

[Movemout]

"The men were lowering a box-like package. "

Hmmmmm......interesting, but doesn't sound particularly dangerous to the public. If you are going to blow a bridge you don't put the explosive in the water.

[TxBec]

>>A driver reported seeing two "Non-American" men standing near the top of the span.<<

Boy, that leaves a lot of possibilities, doesn't it?