Ironworkers Memorial Bridge Collapse, Video
This 10-minute video features poignant interviews with workers who survived the catastrophic collapse of the Second Narrows Bridge (now the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge) in 1958. They recount the harrowing moments of the disaster, detailing the sounds, the immediate chaos, and the desperate struggle for survival.
The workers vividly describe the sudden and unexpected nature of the collapse, recalling how the structure gave way beneath them. They share personal accounts of being thrown into the water, escaping falling debris, and the desperate efforts made to rescue survivors. The human cost of the tragedy is a central theme, with the video emphasizing the devastating loss of 19 lives and the profound impact this had on families and the wider community.
The video reveals that the collapse was ultimately attributed to a critical calculation error in the engineering design. Despite the tragedy, the ironworkers express a deep sense of pride that the bridge was eventually renamed the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge, serving as a lasting tribute to those who perished and survived the disaster.
Unions hold an annual memorial each year on the anniversary of the collapse.
This video was produced in a partnership between WorkSafeBC and the BC Labour Heritage Centre in 2014