Swarm of mayflies causes Minnesota bridge crash
HASTINGS, Minn. (AP) — A large hatch of mayflies is blamed for a collision on the Hastings Bridge.
The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports a slippery layer of dead bugs on Highway 61 caused a driver to lose control and collide with an oncoming vehicle around 11:30 p.m. Sunday.
A Minnesota Department of Transportation spokesman says the film of dead mayflies was 2 to 3 inches thick.
Mayflies usually are seen near water during the summer. The bugs are attracted to light, making them prone to getting run over by drivers at night.
Transportation officials closed the bridge for about an hour to remove the bugs with a plow and pour sand over the area.
The people involved in the crash had minor injuries.
