Fifty years ago, the Tasman Bridge in Hobart, Australia, tragically collapsed after being hit by a bulk carrier, the Lake Illawarra. This devastating event claimed the lives of seven crew members and five people in cars that fell into the River Derwent. The anniversary prompts reflection on the heroism of those involved and the lasting impact on the city.
‘Every time I drive across the Tasman Bridge , I think, “ Lake Illawarra ’s down there”’: the bridge over Hobart ’s River Derwent collapsed on the evening of 5 January 1975 after being hit by a bulk carrier.‘Every time I drive across the Tasman Bridge , I think, “ Lake Illawarra ’s down there”’: the bridge over Hobart ’s River Derwent collapsed on the evening of 5 January 1975 after being hit by a bulk carrier.
The vessel crashed into the pile capping of pier 18 and then pier 19 of the 1,025-metre bridge, and both collapsed, bringing three spans crashing on to the hull of the vessel, which sank in minutes.The collision had fatal consequences for seven crew including Kemp – who was awarded a posthumous bravery award – and five people in four cars that plunged from the bridge.
Manley says he “put the anchors on fairly hard”. “Next thing, the car hung over the edge a fair way. And then the wife said, ‘put her in reverse’. Police later told Manley they might have to push his car into the river “and that upset me a bit”. But it was safely towed away and five decades later, it remains his pride and joy.
Bob Clifford ran the Sullivans Cove Ferry Company, which operated two boats across the Derwent, both used in the rescue operation. Eventually, he had five boats operating on the harbour and transported more than 9 million people in the two years after the collapse.
Tasman Bridge Collapse Hobart Australia Lake Illawarra Disaster
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