In a shocking turn of events, a total of 26 barges broke loose and floated uncontrollably down the Ohio River on Friday night, wreaking havoc along its path. According to the Pittsburgh Public Safety Office, the incident resulted in the closure of the West End Bridge in both directions and the suspension of rail traffic on the rail bridge to Brunot Island. However, these routes were reopened on Saturday.

The majority of the barges, 23 to be exact, were laden with dry cargo such as coal, while the remaining three were empty. All of these barges were owned or operated by the Campbell Transportation Company. Fortunately, there have been no reports of any injuries stemming from this incident.

One unfortunate casualty of the barge chaos was Peggy's Marina, which sustained extensive damage as a result. The marina, a local establishment well-known for its services and facilities, was left in a state of disarray.

Out of the 26 barges that ran amok, 11 were eventually located and pinned against the river bank by Brunot Island. The remaining 14 barges continued their unhindered journey down the Ohio River, while six of them ultimately went over the Emsworth Dam. The sheer scale of the incident left many stunned and helpless witnesses to the unfolding chaos.

In response to the incident, the Campbell Transportation Company released a statement to ABC affiliate WTAE, stating that the incident occurred during high water conditions and strong currents resulting from the widespread flooding in the area. While the exact cause of the barges breaking loose is still under investigation, it is clear that the powerful forces of nature played a significant role.

Thankfully, no injuries were reported, but the consequences of this incident will be felt for some time to come. The damage to Peggy's Marina, along with the chaos caused by the uncontrolled barges, serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with unpredictable weather conditions and the importance of robust safety measures in the maritime industry.

Local authorities, along with the Campbell Transportation Company, will undoubtedly work tirelessly to assess the full extent of the damage and implement appropriate measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Meanwhile, residents and business owners in the affected areas are left to pick up the pieces and restore normalcy to their lives.