Overview

• Emergency crews from Illinois and Missouri extinguished the fire and confirmed no leaks or injuries on the empty barge.
• The Mississippi River remains closed to commercial traffic at the crash site as authorities secure the wreckage and preserve evidence.
• Federal investigators from the NTSB, FAA and U.S. Coast Guard will begin on-site evidence gathering Friday, including reviewing maintenance logs and air traffic communications.
• The Hughes 369D helicopter was performing transmission-line lighting and marker ball replacement under contract with Ameren Corp when it collided with the power lines.
• Officials warn that the closure of this critical shipping channel could delay grain and industrial shipments to the Gulf until navigation resumes.