Gusting winds topple container truck on bridge

South Carolina police say that strong winds are likely responsible for tipping a over a container on a truck crossing a bridge.

The incident was first reported around 11 a.m. on Friday, December 21, on the Wando Bridge carrying I-526 in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.

As winds gusted at speeds of 40 m.p.h. and higher, a truck hauling an empty cargo container eastbound across the bridge was tipped over, leaving the container partially dangling over the side of the bridge.

No injuries were reported.

The Mount Pleasant Police Department says that high winds were likely to blame for the container tip-over.

Some have raised questions about why the bridge was open during periods of dangerous high wind. Live 5 News reports that officials in Charleston County rarely close bridges because the same wind that would make driving dangerous would also endanger the emergency vehicles needed to close down the bridge.

The incident caused severe traffic backups as I-526 eastbound was closed down for hours. All lanes have since reopened.