Investigation Underway After Woman Falls Off Miami Drawbridge And Dies

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – An investigation is underway following an incident at a Miami drawbridge that claimed the life of a woman on Tuesday.

Rescue crews were called out shortly after 4:00 p.m. regarding a woman who was possibly hanging off the side of the bridge on NW 12th Street and 11th St.

"A woman in her early 60s was caught on the bridge as it was going up and found herself having to cling to life on one of the railings," said City of Miami Fire Rescue Capt. Ignatius Carroll.

Police, fire rescue and marine patrol units were deployed.

According to City of Miami Fire Rescue, as the woman was clinging to the railing, she slipped and fell about 30 to 40 feet down.

"We found her right at the bottom of the bridge on 12th avenue just inches away from falling to the water," said Carroll.

According to Carroll, the victim was rushed to Ryder Trauma Center with severe injuries to her legs. She was later pronounced dead.

City of Miami Police identified the victim as 61-year-old Olga Aponte.

At the scene, detectives spoke with the bridge tender and conducted their investigation.

"The question everybody has is why was she on the bridge at the time it was going up? Why weren't the warning signs adhered to? And was there anybody else who may have seen her on the bridge at the time and tried to warn the bridge tender?" said Carroll.

The drawbridge reopened to traffic about four hours after the incident.  The investigation into the incident continues.