39 years ago today (May 9, 1980) Tampa Bay witnessed one of the most tragic horrors in the nation’s history when a ship measuring more than 600 feet hit the Skyway bridge.
When the freighter MV Summit Venbture struck the bridge, it caused the collapse of the southbound span and 8 vehicles, including a Greyhound bus, fell 165 feet to the water below.
35 lives were lost.
You can listen to the original call for help here…
Construction of the bridge we have now began in 1982 and ended in 1987. Security and safety measures were implemented so that an accident like the one in 1980 never happens again.
To this day, the new Skyway is considered one of America’s engineering marvels!