NOTICE: these embedded social media posts may contain profanity and sensitive content.
Admins note: this post may still be updated as more footage surface.
We warned people about being on this section of 270 today between 2 PM and 5 PM – and almost on cue – that was the time the worst delays happened when the Ride of the Century went through. What we did not expect to happen was that the group split into two units with one group staying west on 70 towards 170 then made its way on eastbound 270; and another larger group going across the McKinley Bridge.
It was very clear that the smaller group that ended up going eastbound was the most hardcore stunt motorcyclists that the ride had – complete with the ATVs:
Photo by Danielle de Villiers. Used with permission.
Photo by Danielle de Villiers. Used with permission.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2aGbAznVV8/
There was a larger group that went the traditional route and opted to livestream which made it much easier for the one admin to watch cameras of the much smaller group.
Almost as soon it hit the canal bridge, there was an incident that was not caught by that livestream that froze westbound traffic for a few moments:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2cqjqEgeXM/
The first rider involved in the crash had shoulder and hand injuries but walked away from the crash. The other two riders later posted social media posts:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2alo_knHZl/
One of the riders allegedly involved in the canal bridge incident shared this status update – she walked away as well and appears to be heartbroken. Please remember she was not able to avoid the incident – and admins here run on a no fault system when it comes to incidents.
This was very scary as it understandably caused westbound traffic to go to an halt to make sure everyone was okay:
Other footage is starting to show up as well:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B2fGmhvHCt1/
I’m later learning that the groups may had split because some of the riders went to check out an alleged incident on westbound 70 near the city/county line:
Remember that these riders often see strength in numbers and this is why you often see large groups of them doing wheelies and other stunts – with the ones most likely doing the stuff in the front of the pack. While that canal bridge incident froze westbound traffic – because the ones that botched the stunt was in the front of the pack the rest of the pack was able to see it and freeze all the traffic to make sure they were okay, clean up the wreckage with support vehicles, and get back going again.
What are below are some of the MoDOT traffic camera images. The camera in my own iPhone (which I had for less than a year) recently messed up and I couldn’t livestream as a result. I was in fact supposed to work that day but a looming GM Strike changed that plan (as I work for a supplier).
UPDATE 10/15/19 – there was a second incident on the bridges
Chain of Rocks/I-270 