ABC 7pm news Westgate Bridge collapse 1970

[trebor2122]

my uncal fall from the bridge on callapes and lived and went back work to finish it of and said it was the safest bridge in the world on tv the day it was opened

[mahargkcaj]

Was this filmed with a cinder-block?

[darkangel2347]

One day, I'd like to visit Melbourne and for the use of this name, I would pay a visit to the Westgate Bridge memorial.

[darkangel2347]

the name that I use here (darkangel2347) does pay tribute to my almost 4 years in Melbourne (15/3/70 to 8/1/74) and with a specific reference to this event. I was 7 months old at the time. The bridge finally opened on 1611/78. But by then, I'd had moved to SA. I still live in SA as of 12/7/11. The suicides of Jodie Gator & Stephanie Gestier in Melbourne (two 16-yo emo girls) in April 2007 also contribite 50% for this name that I use on Youtube.

[xxsammitxx]

this is why i freak out everytime i go over it..

[codyjarrat]

Thanks, this was interesting.

[Divjak9]

here comes 2

[avidutubewatcher]

thanks for posting this - it was a important piece of Melbourne history

[Romerjon17]

My father told me that West Gate Bridge collapsed :(

Its a really high bridge and dangerous :(

[neilringram]

I was on a school excursion to Melbourne that day and we hand a look at the construction of the West Gate bridge. We were on the opposite bank when the bridge came crashing down. Can still remember hearing several loud cracks/bangs and then the noise of the bridge hitting the ground. The shock wave through the ground was amazing. I still hear the screams of the workers!!

[avidutubewatcher]

@neilringram thanks for the post - still recalling the screams nearly 40years later must be a horrible experience

[fiddylad]

Im currently doing my trade in structural steel fabrication, and pretty much these days you'll find that most thing are over engineered like crazy.

massive steel sections everywhere, where really, lighter sections would be fine.

Looking at this sort of thing, I can really understand why.

Also placement of smoko sheds and all that, waaayyy off site away from any works.

[pclarky]

This was before I was born, new there was an accident but on that scale? really sad

On top of that the bridge has stigma of a suicide vechile for the vounrable. When you cross the bridge think of the people that didn't

[azaman1000]

i live in the western suburbs..

[lancemckellar]

The fortieth annivrsary was this week. RIP to those who died.

[FSW2000]

RIP the workers..

[MegaMickeymack]

At 2:07 reference to the "Series of explosions" as the spans collapsed.

Was this a terrorist act?

[DBPZ]

@MegaMickeymack

The article on Wikipedia attributes the consequent explosion to the broken gas pipes under the bridge, which was smashed by the failed section and was ignited somehow. I don't think it is a terrorist act.

[cityviagranville]

At least we had microwave and coaxial links by 1970!!!!

"This is Bob Willcox in Melbourne reporting for ABC viewers in all Australian States."

Some want to deny us an NBN!

[ElliottsFather]

Henry Bolte was told that a tunnel under the Yarra would have been cheaper and easier to build but he refused to allow it, wanting Melbourne to have a recognisable landmark to compare with Sydney's harbour bridge. He was a stubborn Premier and always got what he wanted - including the hanging of Ronald Ryan.

[everydaydayseven]

@ElliottsFather Hi, I am currently doing a report on the ethics involved in this collapse, if possible would you be able to send me a source of where you read this?

I would appreciate it if it was possible.

As to the video, this is amazing, to see what people back then saw.

I am only 18, so this happened long before my time...

[LinkZeldaLuvcomic]

my pop was a fire man then and it just collapsed he helped there are still bodys in the water today

[mickjoG]

i think australian accents must have sounded more british in the 70's.

[jpx08]

@mickjoG Actually, the accents haven't changed. Back then it was expected for those in TV and radio to speak with a British accent al a BBC. That's obviously changed since that time.

[mickjoG]

@jpx08 hmmm- haven't we come along way as a country.

[TEMPmichaelhansen]

i love old footage

[lancemckellar]

I remember the opening of the bridge in 1978 as a child. RIP to those who died, shocking shocking event.

[darkangel2347]

I was born in Melbourne in March 1970 and I was 7 months old when this happened. I did not see the bridge finished while living in Melbourne. On January 9, 1974, I, with my parents moved to Whyalla, SA. Bridge finally opened on November 15, 1978. On July 9, 1982, I moved to Adelaide, and where I still live to this day. I've never been to Victoria in any capacity since January 8, 1974. Some great old TV coverage though. A 7 month old baby can't remember such things!

[Hybzy]

I drive over the bridge a few times a week. It's a beautiful bridge, and the view from up top is amazing.

[ozjenva]

Very nostalgic, I still recall the day. I grew up not far from this bridge, and I can still recall the thunderous sound and the cloud of dust, while attending a nearby school. Many of family and friends have personal stories, as they went to assist on that fateful day.

[lovesavestheday]

where can i download this?

[Lukelr]

what happened? How did this bridge fall down? this vid has been kept in pretty good shape. thanks for posting.

[fernald10]

The Commission found the cause of the collapse was basically a combination of the box girder design and very risky construction practices by the contractors, particularly during the morning before the collapse.

[kindbluey]

Incredible old News Footage. Thankyou for Posting!!

[darkangel2347]

I was born in Melbourne on 15/03/1970 and I never got see the bridge finished (in 1979) while living there. I moved to Whyalla on 09/01/1974 and to Adelaide on 09/07/1982 and still to this day, I've never been across it. I would like to do someday.

[BlackMaria61]

I can't quite remember if it was an engineering miscalculation or defective matierials/construction (or all three) but the stress of the attached span was too much for the supports and it snapped like dry branch in the wind.

[emgee65]

Ummm , Yes you do!.

After reading this post , it seems you're in no position to call anybody illiterate.

[emgee65]

HAHAHA , Look everybody , BoZo's going to give ME the heads up.

LOL , you should become a comedian , Bitch.

Besides , I was just stating fact , you dick licking fuck!

[Blue876235]

Listin to me you dick fucking fuck tard, keep your shit to your self. I dont wanna hear all of your bull shit. Stupid bitch. Fucking retard, who the fuck you talking to you stupid fuck, calling me a Bozo, look at your self. Get a fucking life cock suker.

[emgee65]

My suspicions have been confirmed.

You definately have a mental illness and I strongly suggest you go get your head checked.

Sensing you have difficulty in putting a (so called) sentence together without hurling abuse,I'm tipping it's Tourette Syndrome.

You seem to like telling people what to do eh....

Just as well I dont listen to Knuckle Scraping Fuckwits.

PS:..Who the fuck you talking to you ask?

"YOU" , you dumbass BOZO cockbiter!

[emgee65]

This bridge forms a daily part of my route home from work.

Damn hate it when I'm stuck at the top in heavy traffic situations.

[Phykus]

I looked it up, and you stick the camera up to a flatscreen TV, and RECORD!

[Ken69a]

Don't Remember much....

Just a little bit of watching the News when I got home from School...

Just in 5 days time I turned 7...

I do remember seeing it getting build when I was crossing on the old river putt across the Yarra with my parents.

[SaintTony1968]

How did you get this film

The only way i know is to pay big money to the sound archive in canberra

or the ABC

[girliecars]

amazing

[she33a]

I travel across this bridge all the time..Its so frign High..I hate going arcoss it...

[steve250782]

great historical moment for Australia

[miss3844]

compared to the bridge today , how high was it when it collapsed

[telerecordings]

Same i think.

[LinkZeldaLuvcomic]

@telerecordings it was the same

[oldlamo]

Although the box-girder design was structural sound, it was only so once it was built. For the West Gate, building the bridge from both ends, to finally meet in the middle, proved difficult.The camber of the northern half was 10 cm heigher than the southern half, so weight was applied to force down the northern half. 80 tons of concrete blocks were put on top of the span to correct the bulge, and that was the nail in the coffin.

[NEXT300]

like kinda what happend with the grandville diasater eh?

[telerecordings]

It did not get hit by anything it just fell.

[NEXT300]

yer not that fact its the fact that they put one too much layrer of conncrete on the deck and when the train took out the supports it gave way :)

[ade425mxy]

Wow where did u get this !!!

Ade "tv film collector" Gregg

[aussiebeachut]

Agree with all of the above comments.. well done.. excellent post !!

[FrozenDoberman]

Thanks for sharing this rare October 15th, 1970 ABV2 Melbourne TV news clip.

[btvgmv6]

Wow,a real gem here.I was at school in Melbourne when this happened.thanks for uploading and sharing this clip