Before the collapse of the landmark Francis Scott Key Bridge in the early hours of Tuesday morning, Maryland was a place made up of towns and neighborhoods. But after the Dali cargo ship struck the 47-year-old structure, causing it to crumble in mere seconds, residents from throughout the state united to form one community—Baltimore.
Only hours after the crash, people began to mobilize to support the network of first responders from various counties, making sure that divers, fire personnel, police officers, and EMTs were taken care of.
For those who waited to hear news of loved ones lost when the bridge came down, churches in Turner Station and Dundalk opened their doors to all—including Mayor Brandon Scott, Baltimore County Executive John Olszewski Jr., and both city and county council members.
All the while, members of the North Point Edgemere Volunteer Fire Department worked around the clock to collect goods for rescue teams and redistribute more items to surrounding fire houses.
Businesses like Hard Yacht Cafe became a hub for refueling boats taking divers and other authorities out onto the water, as media from all over the world watched from the base of the former bridge site.
We’re looking at what could be a years-long recovery, but judging by the first two days, no one is going to be alone.
Above: Rose Duckworth and other volunteers collect community donations at the North Point Edgemere Volunteer Fire Department.
Above: Volunteers at the North Point Edgemere Volunteer Fire Department receive goods from the community which will be redistributed to first responders working at the site of the Key Bridge; Volunteer EMT Madee Andrada loads donated goods bound for Baltimore City fire houses.
Above: Mt. Olive Baptist Church of Turner Station organist and Baltimore School for the Arts student Antonio McLeod readies the church organ for a neighborhood vigil and mass; Mt. Olive pastor Reverend Rashad A. Singletary and Mayor Brandon Scott bow their heads in prayer; Baltimore City Councilman Zeke Cohen bows his head; Singletary leads the community in prayer.
Above: The stern of the Dali, the ship that sank the Key Bridge looms like a wall of cargo at the end of a service road; community members gather Tuesday to take in the scene after the catastrophe; Road to Nowhere: the truncated terminus of I-695 where the Key Bridge used to span.