Crane strikes Florida Avenue Bridge, tugboat captain killed

A tugboat captain is dead after the arm of a large crane struck the Florida Avenue Bridge on the Industrial Canal.

Officials say that the incident happened around midnight as a tugboat, named Cory Michael, was pushing a barge with a crane on it.

The boat requested the Florida Avenue Bridge to open and the bridge did so, according to officials with the Port of New Orleans.

The arm of the crane struck the bridge, swinging and hitting the tugboat's wheelhouse, officials say.

The captain of the tugboat, identified as 46-year-old Michael Collins, was killed in the accident.

Harbor Police, the Coast Guard, NOFD and EMS all responded to the scene. The bridge has been re-opened following the incident.