I-5 Skagit River Bridge collapses…

The Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River at Mount Vernon collapsed Thursday evening, dumping vehicles and people into the water shortly after 7 p.m.

At least one person was pulled from the water, but State Patrol Trooper Mark Francis said it was not clear how many were in the water or the extent the injuries. Photos showed one man sitting on the top of his red pickup truck waiting to be rescued.

Francis did not know what caused the collapse. A sheriff’s office rescue boat has arrived and rescue crews were looking for people in the water. Crowds of people lined the river to watch the scene unfold, and drivers were told to stay away.

The four-lane north and southbound bridge, built in 1955, was used by 70,000 vehicles daily, according to 2010 statistics. This story will be updated when more information is available.

A Skagit Valley Herald reporter at the scene said a sheriff’s office rescue boat has arrived and rescue crews were looking for people in the water.

The reporter saw one person sitting atop one vehicle in the water and could see a second vehicle as well.

Crowds of people lined the river to watch the scene unfold.

The incident has closed northbound and southbound traffic in the area; traffic is reportedly backed up significantly on I-5.

This is a developing story, check back for updates…