VICKSBURG — A 30-barge tow struck old U.S. 80 bridge crossing the Mississippi River in Vicksburg about 2 p.m. Thursday sinking a grain barge.

Petty officer Erik Brehaut with the USCG Sector Lower Mississippi River said the tug Jeffrey G was traveling southbound on the river when it struck  the bridge. Bridge Superintendent Herman Smith said the tow struck pier 4, which is on the Louisiana side of the bridge. The bridge’s flag flies over that spot. He said the railroad bridge has been closed and a bridge engineer was on his way to examine the pier.

Warren County sheriff Martin Pace said some of the 30 barges in the tow broke free and one of them sank following the collision. The other barges were corralled with help from Ergon Marine.
“There is no danger to the public and no hazardous material involved,” Pace said.

The Jeffrey G is part of the Marquette Transportation Company’s river fleet with a home port of St. Louis, Missouri.