Worker killed in river mishap

BRIELLE, N.J - A construction worker was killed yesterday when a barge and a push boat collided underneath a drawbridge, causing the barge to overturn and trap the man underneath.

The accident at the Route 70 bridge, which spans the Manasquan River between Monmouth and Ocean counties, occurred just before 4 p.m., authorities said. The victim's body was recovered about two hours later.

The man was identified only as a 35-year-old employee of the George Harms Construction Co., the company performing the work on the drawbridge, which is being replaced by a $51 million span that opened to traffic last week. Work to dismantle the old bridge began on Monday. *

-Associated Press