UPDATE: Injuries reported after Merrillville park bridge collapses into lake

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UPDATE: Injuries reported after Merrillville park bridge collapses into lake

This sign shows the entrance to Hidden Lake Park in Merrillville, where a bridge collapse injured at least 16 people Saturday night. (Photo provided/http://www.rosstownship.org/hlp.htm)

By WSBT 24/7 News

Story Created: Jul 5, 2009 at 5:28 AM EST

Story Updated: Jul 5, 2009 at 12:39 PM EST

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (AP) — A township trustee says a pedestrian bridge in Merrillville was overcrowded to about twice its capacity before it collapsed after a Fourth of July celebration, sending at least 50 people into the water below and injured about 25 people.

Ross Township Trustee John Rooda (ROO'-dah) says the wooded bridge suspended by cables can handle a load of about 40 people at any one time but as many as twice that number were on it when it collapsed Saturday night.

He says police officers were stationed at either end but the crowd rushed them.

Rooda says the bridge has been inspected regularly.

Merrillville police say none of the injuries are life-threatening and no one is missing.

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