By AP/KWMU
St. Louis, MO – A six-mile stretch of the Mississippi River was closed this morning after a breakaway barge sank.
The barge was one of 15 that broke loose from the tow boat John M. Rivers, which is owned by Ingram Barge Company of Nashville. The other barges have all been secured.
The Coast Guard says the accident happened near the McKinley Bridge. The barge was loaded with corn and sank after striking the bridge. The bridge wasn't damaged.
The incident marks the third time in the past few weeks that a sunken barge has forced closure of the river.