Ten people being treated at trauma center due to FIU bridge collapse — Gov. Scott visits | Miami Herald

Kendall Regional Medical Center is treating 10 Level 1 trauma patients, two of whom are in critical condition, stemming from the collapse of Florida International University’s 950-ton bridge Thursday afternoon.

Dr. Mark McKenney, a spokesperson for Kendall Regional’s trauma center, said one patient arrived in cardiac arrest and went immediately into surgery. He remained in critical condition in the intensive care unit, McKenney said.

A group of what appeared to be college-aged students gathered outside the emergency room entrance hugging, crying and chatting.

A 19-year-old FIU freshman said he came to check on one of his friends who was injured. He still was waiting on word of another.

“This is absolutely crazy,” he said “I can't believe this happened.”

Kendall Regional is the closest trauma center to Florida International University’s main campus at Southwest Eighth Street and 107th Avenue. The bridge, which was under construction, collapsed at Eighth Street and 109th Avenue Thursday afternoon.

READ MORE: FIU Bridge collapses

Another patient was rushed into surgery and was being treated by a neurosurgeon and an orthopedic surgeon, according to McKenney.

The other eight patients were all expected to be OK and suffered injuries ranging from abrasions and bruises to broken bones. He said the patients ranged in age from 20 to 50.

Police said four people had died, including a female FIU student. Police did not identify the student.

McKenney said the hospital trains for these kinds of situations although “this was the biggest casualty all at one time.”

As of 6 p.m. Thursday, he said the hospital didn't expect to receive any more critical patients, but there were a couple dozen surgeons and other medical staff ready just in case.

At 9:30 p.m, Gov. Rick Scott arrived at Kendall Regional. He was in one of two black SUVs that rolled up to the front entrance of the hospital.

Before the governor arrived, someone could be seen vacuuming the front entrance as people in white coats and scrubs gathered to wait.

Two Miami-Dade police cars were parked next to the entrance.

The governor shook hands and hugged several people before being escorted inside.