I was 6 yrs old that day to this day i wont cross that bridge,it was the saddesst thing to happen to fla,my heart goes out to all the familys you are not forgotten
When I originally came to Florida in 1982 I remember driving over this bridge late at night and in a blinding rain with wind. a bit later I was told about the disaster that had occurred there and I drove over it again, on a motorcycle and during the day so as to see what was being said about it. Very spooky experience it was to see that gaping span where the Southbound side of the bridge had been damaged.
As a kid in the family car, the 4 mile crossing of the original Sunshine Skyway seemed to take a long time. We used to count the piers on the adjacent bridge and watch as they grew larger and larger as a T shape, and then become double, then reverse and count down after passing the mid point. I remember each time when being near the center experiencing some uneasiness due to the height of the open steel grating deck above the water and the imposing structure.
After the disaster, the remaining bridge handled two way traffic, and I recall counting the bridge piers when heading southbound, and then suddenly the deck and the superstructure were gone!!! And this one huge concete pier standing on its own with the deck missing was totally creepy. (1:18 to 1:36 in this video). Of course the traffic slowed down so everyone could gawk. The sight was so horrific, it made me sick. I had nightmares about that bridge for weeks. That was my last trip across it.
Another thing... my Dad had a Buick Skylark like the one Mr. Hornbuckle was driving, except it was a silver 2 door. I remember seeing what looked like our family car about a foot short of falling off the end of the bridge on the news, and it was shocking.
I was only a baby when this happened (Jan 16, 1979) I never thought to look on youtube for footage until now. this video gives me the same sinking feeling in my stomach as 9/11 does!
Is Florida all about black ppl? Dispatcher, police and all panic ppl have black accent ! Man BIG NO NO for me to go there ! I heard when you ask What time is it sir? they just shoot !
I knew Dick Hornbuckle very well , He was my landlord in ST. Pete I remember him telling me the story, about that morning. Years later he had a Picture made of his buick on the skyway , he used to call it old yellar.
The words and emotions of that day 31 years ago are still so fresh in my mind. It's as if were yesterday. I still cross this bridge cautiously whenever I drive over the new spans that replaced the old ones. For those of you whom were born after this terrible acccident, it a moment in time not to be forgotten. I was working in a school nursing program at Universith Community Hospital that day. I cried then and still do for those who died, survived, and lost their friends or family.
@2Catangel i went to that hospital today for a suspected case of appendicitis and was there for 22 hours but they just let me out w/o surgery cuz they think it's just and infection or something and that i just need to wait it out :S
I was 8 when this happend. Living in Riverview, FL. I remember that day very well. I had the oppurtunity to meet the captain of the vessel "Summit Venture", Mr. John Lerro, quite a few years after the accident. Although he was exonarated from any negligence, the accident really took a toll on Mr. Lerro. He retired from his maritime career and pursued a degree in counseling from USF and went on counseling young adults where I met him. Sad story for all involved.
If that guy wastes more time saying "United States Coastguard Saint Petersburg Florida", im going to invent a time machine to go back and pop him one...
I was 13 years old when this happened.I had won 2nd place in my school district spelling bee that day.I still have the newspaper photo of me from that day.I heard about this tragedy on the radio when my Dad picked me up.I recently researched this disaster online and learned about the horrific details.My eyes filled with tears,and I cried my eyes out as I read each name of the precious lives that were gone that day.With All My Love,Mr.Glenn Montoya
When I was a child,riding across this Bridge with my parents,the bridge always scared me very much riding over it.My Hat is off to the United States Coast Guard, who did a very good job during this Disaster.
I met the captain of the Summit Venture a few years after this accident (he was the father of a friend's friend), around 82/83. He was literally a shell of a man.
I was going to private school my twin sister two of our good friends brother&sister were at the corner of 27th (Now MKL Jr.Way) and N.Washington Blvd. It was raining really,really hard cold and dark that morning when we got to school my class mate told us that the Skyway was hit.......MEMORIES!
@tony565565 SO YOU SAY. UNIONS HELPED PUT AMERICA IN THIS DITCH. The men with the bucks started building their factories somewhere else so some ding/dong wouldn't be telling them how to run it. Unions were A-OK for safety,,seniority and that's it. If everything was union bicycles at WalMart would cost $300. $72 an hour in Detroit and 95% of pay when laid off is why cars cost $42,000 for a good one and that's BS
This was 5 years befor I was born but I drive the new bridge 5 days a week. My dad was one of the men who built the new bridge. My mom was preg with me and has a pic from the top of the south tower.
the Pilot died about like couple of years ago...he was a graduate from my college 'SUNY Maritime College''....our prof. tells us aft the incident he broke down..he never fully recovered aft that... he used to live aftwards in our college (NY) in a ship ...
I went over the bridge, on that span, 2 hours before it was hit to do a job in Sarasota. I remember hearing on the radio that the bridge was down and I had to come back via 75 thru Tampa. We left early BECAUSE of the weather, had we not, I would have been a victim for sure.
I remember this tragic accident,it was the day before my Father and a group of his friends took a trip to Tahiti,RIP all those who perished,and may god bless their families!!
I was a kid when this happened, about 100 miles away. It was all over the news for years. Now I live close by and drive the new bridge frequently. I think about the disaster every time I cross it. The weather they hit is not unusual for Florida. In normal evening storms, I've seen waves break over the causeway part of the Howard Franklin bridge (the northern bridge of I-275), and the wind can push your car two lanes over pretty easily.
@evoteck That is true. The new bridge is actually 200ft high (60.96 meters) tall while the old bridge was around 150ft (45.72 meters). It does have a pretty steep grade if anyone has ever driven on it.
It's hard to believe that it has been 30 years to the date (5/9/2010) already. Sadly, this was before my time and I pray for all those whom have lost a loved one or for those whom remember that they may be comforted. Since they built the new one, it has become a model for new bridge design with the pylons at the base called "dolphins" that help protect it from incoming ships. Still though, The spans exist today as the Skyway Fishing Pier.
i have been over the new bridge, but this accident happened 4 years b4 i was born even knowing that my heart goes out to those who lost there lives that day
@taybeauty05 So sorry to hear that. I was only 1 1/2 years old and living in Bradenton when the disaster happened and have just learned about it in recent days. A friend of my dad's was on the bridge but wasn't in harms way. RIP to all who lost their lives that day.
When I used to visit Bradenton, my Grandfather's friend told me about him coming back from work in St. Pete and seeing cars fall into the water during the disaster.
wow man so you were there when this all happened? still sends chills through my body to this day. i was 8 when this happened and i remember my brother told me about it. i have 2 books that i found about the accident. "bridge down" and "skyway" very interesting books. tells all about it and interviews with the victims families and photos. a really sad tragedy indeed. i can only imagine what they all went through on that dreadful morning. what a damn shame. i went over that span plenty as a kid.
The thing to think about is before the toll both Mr Hornbuckle was in front of the bus and was tied up longer at the toll booth than normal for some reason.
The pictures I had taken was completely lousy due to the factors:::: cheap camera.. rain..way too dark and could not see to focus..The only thing you can see is a turquoise blur in the water.
The pics of the other side was somewhat see able.
Well got to go and find this elusive thing called a job.
Mr Hornbuckle was in shock or in down right fear. But we were on the other side and We did not see what was going on on the other side but other truck drivers were warning others the bridge was out.
And a reply to"" HGbunny"" As strange it sounds the incident did not bother me then but when I got older is when it really started to affect me.
I dont drive or ride over it. I drove over it exactly 1 week to the day at the same time it happened before it happened and did not know that all my lug nuts were off of my wheel! Rolling around and I was wondering what the noise was. At the time I thought I could have lost my wheel and gone over. But luckaly I wasnt there the following week. I hate that bridge and will never go over it again!
had taken another step I would have fallen off the bridge. The glow was the cars under the water and they were still moving . I think the current was moving them.
We were hauling Wall street journal news papers to Venice Fl, In a Ford 7000 straight truck.
I live in Altamonte Springs now.
The new skyway bridge was cracking really bad and was found to be a bad design but it is still holding up.
I only went over the new one 3 times. I did not like it.
told him he was full of sh*#t so we went to look at the rear axle to see what had happened and at that point I had told him the driver there was no lights behind us but I could see the other side of the highway. We started to walk back which was about 1100 ft and when we got to where the bridge belonged we could not see anything until I saw a glow under my feet in front of me. If I
I'm 38 years old and I was very young when this happen when we went over the bridge I remember the bus. We passed it just before the bridge. The truck I was in felt like wind slamming into the truck . The driver knew something bad had happened because there was a big bump like we hit a speed bump only on the back wheels. The driver stopped and just as we were getting out of the truck another driver was saying on the c.b. radio that the skyway bridge was gone. The driver I was with
There was just ONE thing Chip Callaway had in common with Gerta Hedquist: they both knew Swedish Tennis Star Bjorn Borg. Very sad for Chip... had just so much going for him. Gerta probably was in a better place though, given after she returned from Sweden there probably would not have been much left for her at age 92.
As for the heroic Richard Hornbucke, he passed away back in 2000 at the age of 81 from natural causes. His partner Andy Gattus tied the following year at age 82.
That's what I was thinking after reading a description of the incident. The Captain of the ship and the Coast Guard dispatcher were calm and clear (as they could be given the emergency) in what could've easily overwhelmed someone under similar circumstances when panic can cause incoherent thoughts. Still, it's very chilling to hear.
An additional note to below...I am a Tamap native and lived there until 2007, when I moved to Minneapolis w/my twin-city native husband. Within 1 month of my arrival, the 35W bridge came down, bringing all those memories back.
I remember this day very well. I was in the 6th grade at Robles Elementary in Tampa. The TV was on all day in the 4 rooms that held all of the 6th graders together. A couple of children had parents who worked in Sarasota/Bradenton, and as I recall, the Sunshine skyway was I-75 back then...the stretch that is currently I-75, nor "I-275" existed yet, so these parents commuted on that bridge every day. We were all so worried for them. They were fine. The sounds here still give me huge chills.
The bridge was not yet part of the interstate system. I-275 terminated much further north at the time, around the Howard Frankland bridge. The Skyway was signed as US 19 at the time of the collapse.
It would absolutely make sense that it was US19. Thank you for telling me. I was pretty young and had lived on the Hillsborough County side my whole life. Going to Pinellas County, and particularly then down south of it via the the Sunshine Skyway, occured very rarely and only when absolutely needed, as my Mom was (and still is) scared half to death of bridges.
When did it extend as part of I-275? I work at AAA in Auto Travel. So we do a lot of road trip planning. Would you recommend the Skyway Bridge? I have planned routes from Clearwater to Sarasota, Ft. Myers, Naples, etc. taking the bridge. Shall I keep on doing it or go around Tampa?
How did they stop the traffic, and like did they do it before any cars hit Hornbuckle's buick from behind? Also can anyone tell me whether or not they stopped traffic on the undamaged northbound bridge?
They called the Southbound Toll booth to stop letting cars thru, but my understanding that was not done untill after the point at the end when the Coast Guard asked if either span went into the water. I dont think they stopped the northbound untill later when the Highway Patrol got there.
I heard that the people in Hornbuckle's car that escaped ran down the bridge to stop traffic. They probably never needed to close the northbound bridge but it would have been advisable. They later probably had to close it when they turned it back into two way traffic.
I also remember this day. I was pregnant with our oldest child. Stationed at MacDill AFB and working in our orderly room ~ the weather was terrible that day, it looked like night.
I remember this day. I was working in a hospital that day. It has stayed with me all these years. It was a terrible accident that claimed too many lives.
such an awesome bridge built many yrs ago. sux what happened 2 her. if none of u had the chance of going over the old skyway, u missed a beautifully built bridge. R.I.P. 4 those that have lost their lives due the accidents
I didn't live in St. Pete at the time, but I moved here in 1986, and read later in the 5/9/1990 edition of the St. Pete Times that the guy had a friend they carpooled with to work in Bradenton. They were on the way to their job and it was raining so they didn't see the ledge was missing until they were about 100 feet away. Thankfully, they were driving slowly because of the rain. If you look at 1:29, you can see him closing / opening the door.
this was really sad ... i live in dowtown st.pete .... every one kept fallinf off because of the fog but the last guy that stopped almost fell off and he got out looked at his car and then whent back to his car oppend his trunk and got his golf clubs out and then left kinda funny but stilla sad story
I was working at the Greyhound Bus station in Sarasota at this time. I knew the driver that was killed. We had some packages from the bus that arrived all crumbled up and water damaged. days later It was a terrible day. We had people in the bus station waiting for loved ones that never arrived. I traveled across the remaining span when it reopened later and saw what was left. The remining parts of the bridge are now fishing piers.
I was 24 and native of tampa bay except for hurricans that was the hardest rain i'd ever seen,that capitan had no business attempting to that manuver without tug guide! and he knew it!
Worked for one of the small police agencies at the time, I remember it like it was yesterday. A tragedy. Great posting. Reminding us of those who were taken that day.
This is retarded. Where are the dead bodies and the blood? This is youTUBE, not youRADIO or youREAD. I want to see bloody appendages and organs flying through the air. Until then, keep your shitty non-video presentations to yourself.
PS - Worst video ever!
PPS - FL is the worst state in the union and I would vote to nuke it.
Chris ....the day the skyway fell is book....full of the pictures your asking for....i remember driving over the skyway looking at the collapsed span.....it was a terrible accident on a very scary bridge
Whoa... I'm from way up here in Canada, but I've crossed the current Sunshine Skyway. A close relative of my gf's told us about this tragedy, and putting the pictures and audio to it is just chilling. Thanks for posting!
As a kid it scared me to death going over that bridge. Such a tragedy
Mygodshestall 1 week ago
I was 6 yrs old that day to this day i wont cross that bridge,it was the saddesst thing to happen to fla,my heart goes out to all the familys you are not forgotten
jay52273 3 weeks ago
When I originally came to Florida in 1982 I remember driving over this bridge late at night and in a blinding rain with wind. a bit later I was told about the disaster that had occurred there and I drove over it again, on a motorcycle and during the day so as to see what was being said about it. Very spooky experience it was to see that gaping span where the Southbound side of the bridge had been damaged.
century3horizons 2 months ago 3
As a kid in the family car, the 4 mile crossing of the original Sunshine Skyway seemed to take a long time. We used to count the piers on the adjacent bridge and watch as they grew larger and larger as a T shape, and then become double, then reverse and count down after passing the mid point. I remember each time when being near the center experiencing some uneasiness due to the height of the open steel grating deck above the water and the imposing structure.
continued....
LakeNipissing 3 months ago 3
After the disaster, the remaining bridge handled two way traffic, and I recall counting the bridge piers when heading southbound, and then suddenly the deck and the superstructure were gone!!! And this one huge concete pier standing on its own with the deck missing was totally creepy. (1:18 to 1:36 in this video). Of course the traffic slowed down so everyone could gawk. The sight was so horrific, it made me sick. I had nightmares about that bridge for weeks. That was my last trip across it.
LakeNipissing 3 months ago 3
Another thing... my Dad had a Buick Skylark like the one Mr. Hornbuckle was driving, except it was a silver 2 door. I remember seeing what looked like our family car about a foot short of falling off the end of the bridge on the news, and it was shocking.
LakeNipissing 3 months ago
I was only a baby when this happened (Jan 16, 1979) I never thought to look on youtube for footage until now. this video gives me the same sinking feeling in my stomach as 9/11 does!
AngelaRed 3 months ago 4
what an idiot yacht Queen Bess WYB 9468 asking for a radio check after the coast guard has imposed Silence Mayday!! Unbelievible.
2002flstci 5 months ago
My grandfather helped build that bridge. Everytime I go over the new bridge, I look at the remaining stretch of the old skyway and shed a tear.
tigga8186 6 months ago
I had a cousin who was coming from college to suprise her mom. what a surprise): <3
DamasterBaity 6 months ago
Is Florida all about black ppl? Dispatcher, police and all panic ppl have black accent ! Man BIG NO NO for me to go there ! I heard when you ask What time is it sir? they just shoot !
cfhasib 7 months ago
@cfhasib fucking idiot
bodine98tlk 6 months ago
@cfhasib RETARD
luxor405 6 months ago
@cfhasib Racist -_____-
FantageDiamond 4 months ago
@cfhasib dumbest comment ever. WTF is wrong with you?
batvette 2 weeks ago
I was a senior in high school in Bradenton,Fla.Remember it well!
pineywoods9 8 months ago
OK guys I'm only ten and I have no idea what happend can some one please tell me?
CantYouSeeWeRock 8 months ago
I knew Dick Hornbuckle very well , He was my landlord in ST. Pete I remember him telling me the story, about that morning. Years later he had a Picture made of his buick on the skyway , he used to call it old yellar.
radharley1 9 months ago
The words and emotions of that day 31 years ago are still so fresh in my mind. It's as if were yesterday. I still cross this bridge cautiously whenever I drive over the new spans that replaced the old ones. For those of you whom were born after this terrible acccident, it a moment in time not to be forgotten. I was working in a school nursing program at Universith Community Hospital that day. I cried then and still do for those who died, survived, and lost their friends or family.
2Catangel 9 months ago
@2Catangel i went to that hospital today for a suspected case of appendicitis and was there for 22 hours but they just let me out w/o surgery cuz they think it's just and infection or something and that i just need to wait it out :S
redscarf11 7 months ago
God it's been 31 years today.
airplanebuilderman 9 months ago
does anyone know who the USCG radio operator was? did a hell of job. pan pan, pan pan, pan pan (distress signal to clear channel and advise)
buzzwood72 10 months ago
@buzzwood72 yes his name is scott (squeaky) olsen. he did a fantastic job i agree.
savican1 9 months ago
I was 8 when this happend. Living in Riverview, FL. I remember that day very well. I had the oppurtunity to meet the captain of the vessel "Summit Venture", Mr. John Lerro, quite a few years after the accident. Although he was exonarated from any negligence, the accident really took a toll on Mr. Lerro. He retired from his maritime career and pursued a degree in counseling from USF and went on counseling young adults where I met him. Sad story for all involved.
buzzwood72 10 months ago
@buzzwood72 i feel sorry for this guy when i listened to this. he couldn't see, he couldn't stop either. the guilt must have been horrible.
tranurse 8 months ago
This wasn't the Exxon Valdeze Skipper again?
VMATT500C 11 months ago
so the boat hit the bridge and it all collapsed?
TheDylanJoyce 11 months ago
@TheDylanJoyce just 1200 feet of the west span going southbound.
savican1 9 months ago
If that guy wastes more time saying "United States Coastguard Saint Petersburg Florida", im going to invent a time machine to go back and pop him one...
8Libertine8 11 months ago
I was 13 years old when this happened.I had won 2nd place in my school district spelling bee that day.I still have the newspaper photo of me from that day.I heard about this tragedy on the radio when my Dad picked me up.I recently researched this disaster online and learned about the horrific details.My eyes filled with tears,and I cried my eyes out as I read each name of the precious lives that were gone that day.With All My Love,Mr.Glenn Montoya
MrGlenn3721 1 year ago 7
@MrGlenn3721,
I read about this disaster in 1986 after we moved to Saint Petersburg, FL that year. So sad.
jrusso7660 1 month ago
When I was a child,riding across this Bridge with my parents,the bridge always scared me very much riding over it.My Hat is off to the United States Coast Guard, who did a very good job during this Disaster.
tcowan13 1 year ago 8
@tcowan13 THE NEW BRIDGE WAS BUILT Y MEXICAN LABOR! YOU KNOW THAT? PRETTY BAD OUR OWN PEOPLE CANT EVEN BUILD A FUCKING BRIDGE
moneybelt22 1 year ago
I went to Ft. DeSoto the next day and took pictures of the ship with the bridge on the bow...it was something I will never forget.
jeffbatpa24 1 year ago
Holy **** -- I never knew about this this.... sort of before my time (I was less than 10 years old when this happened)
Mysterio2276 1 year ago
That's sad!!
TheDynamitegurl 1 year ago
I met the captain of the Summit Venture a few years after this accident (he was the father of a friend's friend), around 82/83. He was literally a shell of a man.
jjnorman3 1 year ago
I was going to private school my twin sister two of our good friends brother&sister were at the corner of 27th (Now MKL Jr.Way) and N.Washington Blvd. It was raining really,really hard cold and dark that morning when we got to school my class mate told us that the Skyway was hit.......MEMORIES!
clemmrdO 1 year ago
I drive over the new Skyway bridge to get to work, and when its windy, I can feel the car shaking on the bridge. Pretty Cool.
Mobdragon1 1 year ago
Effn Scary
soldierboyz22 1 year ago
I remember when this happened.
Smithfilmproductions 1 year ago
The big BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you hear when Coast Guard St. Petersburg talks gives me the chills.
sagjig2 1 year ago
@sagjig2 im from connecticut went on in in 1977 3 years before this happened .the very same westbound lane we drove on when i was 7 yrs old
moneybelt22 1 year ago
@tony565565 SO YOU SAY. UNIONS HELPED PUT AMERICA IN THIS DITCH. The men with the bucks started building their factories somewhere else so some ding/dong wouldn't be telling them how to run it. Unions were A-OK for safety,,seniority and that's it. If everything was union bicycles at WalMart would cost $300. $72 an hour in Detroit and 95% of pay when laid off is why cars cost $42,000 for a good one and that's BS
THEMOJOMANsince1959 1 year ago
was there more to this after john said " the west span is down in the water"?
savican1 1 year ago
@savican1 There's probably hours of it. I imagine all the way through when the rain let up.
shamaho 1 year ago
@shamaho yeah i'm sure there was. just wish i knew how to hear the rest. just out of curiosity.
savican1 1 year ago
This was 5 years befor I was born but I drive the new bridge 5 days a week. My dad was one of the men who built the new bridge. My mom was preg with me and has a pic from the top of the south tower.
sisterbreeda 1 year ago
the Pilot died about like couple of years ago...he was a graduate from my college 'SUNY Maritime College''....our prof. tells us aft the incident he broke down..he never fully recovered aft that... he used to live aftwards in our college (NY) in a ship ...
tahapal 1 year ago
I went over the bridge, on that span, 2 hours before it was hit to do a job in Sarasota. I remember hearing on the radio that the bridge was down and I had to come back via 75 thru Tampa. We left early BECAUSE of the weather, had we not, I would have been a victim for sure.
tampatek 1 year ago
im really from tampa
primetime073 1 year ago
They were lucky the ship didn't take out the other span as well.
bradhig 1 year ago
i just went on it today it was freaky
btpo98 1 year ago
i went over the new one when they painted the cables
netwt1oz 1 year ago
how did the bridge really collapes
taylorznikn 1 year ago
Comment removed
shaheen1990 1 year ago
that was pointless
tpabaygarstud 1 year ago
@tpabaygarstud idiot
makeupaddictx4 1 year ago
@makeupaddictx4 but enough about you
tpabaygarstud 1 year ago
May 1980 was a god awful time for disasters. Natural & man-made.
It's still crazy to think there were no bumpers/buffers (whatever you call them) on the old skyway.
ftolmsteen 1 year ago
@ftolmsteen Jersey walls
heatherandpaul2 1 year ago
was 5 years old when that happend she was a beautful bridge R.I.P to those that have lost their lives due to the accident
dallas847 1 year ago
Wow. I can't even begin to imagine the horror the victims went through.
Renfurrer 1 year ago
Back then it was just US-19. Now it's I-275/US-19.
Fanik8 1 year ago
I remember this tragic accident,it was the day before my Father and a group of his friends took a trip to Tahiti,RIP all those who perished,and may god bless their families!!
WCD73 1 year ago
FDOT: Failed Department of Transportation
philglassfan 1 year ago
I was a kid when this happened, about 100 miles away. It was all over the news for years. Now I live close by and drive the new bridge frequently. I think about the disaster every time I cross it. The weather they hit is not unusual for Florida. In normal evening storms, I've seen waves break over the causeway part of the Howard Franklin bridge (the northern bridge of I-275), and the wind can push your car two lanes over pretty easily.
JWSmythe 1 year ago
The new bridge it very high. You can find yourself doing 90 in neutral.
evoteck 1 year ago
@evoteck That is true. The new bridge is actually 200ft high (60.96 meters) tall while the old bridge was around 150ft (45.72 meters). It does have a pretty steep grade if anyone has ever driven on it.
FriedGames 1 year ago
It's hard to believe that it has been 30 years to the date (5/9/2010) already. Sadly, this was before my time and I pray for all those whom have lost a loved one or for those whom remember that they may be comforted. Since they built the new one, it has become a model for new bridge design with the pylons at the base called "dolphins" that help protect it from incoming ships. Still though, The spans exist today as the Skyway Fishing Pier.
FriedGames 1 year ago
how could you go on knowing you killed innocent people because you didnt post a proper look out on the bridge.... idiot.
MrTeamFreeman 1 year ago
That captain must have felt so sick. I know I would have a hard time living after that.
MrJtr1888 1 year ago
i have been over the new bridge, but this accident happened 4 years b4 i was born even knowing that my heart goes out to those who lost there lives that day
twoxland 1 year ago
terrible disaster :( cant imagine the feeling of imminent death as you drove off the edge :(
lovinit19791 1 year ago
Break Break Break this is Coast Guard St Petersburg
Reverseflush 1 year ago
my grandmother was on greyhound bus when the skyway bridge collapsed ... R.I.P S.L.Davis
taybeauty05 1 year ago
im sorry for ur loss:(
britneygirl2008 1 year ago
wow they have the pic of the bus at 3:36
crapper1 1 year ago
@taybeauty05 I GOT THE NEWS PAPER ALL 3 OF THEM AND THE SPECIAL EDITION CATALOG FROM MY DECEASED GRANDPA
moneybelt22 1 year ago
@taybeauty05 So sorry to hear that. I was only 1 1/2 years old and living in Bradenton when the disaster happened and have just learned about it in recent days. A friend of my dad's was on the bridge but wasn't in harms way. RIP to all who lost their lives that day.
shyvicki 6 months ago
I was 9 years old at the time when this happened.
wonderglory 2 years ago
My great uncle retired from greyhound and used to drive this route all the time. he happened to be scedueled on a later bus on this fateful day.
airplanebuilderman 2 years ago
i did 8 years in the Coast Guard the Raidio watch did a heck of a job given the curcemstances.
airplanebuilderman 2 years ago 14
Moon landing transmissions were clearer than these.
Ronf465 2 years ago
When I used to visit Bradenton, my Grandfather's friend told me about him coming back from work in St. Pete and seeing cars fall into the water during the disaster.
mikemda 2 years ago
i wondering who was driving that car at the end of the bridge...
greene825 2 years ago
Comment removed
savican1 2 years ago
dick hornbuckle and his 3 passengers
savican1 2 years ago
he always wanted the bridge (wheel house) at the bow of the ship.
stoomheier 2 years ago
i wouldve felt sooooooo bad if i was the driver off the vessel...i would shot myself i da face
ELITEZxSnIpErZ 2 years ago
terrible tragedy for the tampa area, still give me chills listening to that
bermaeri 2 years ago
Again start from the bottom up on my most recent posts.
dane774 2 years ago
wow man so you were there when this all happened? still sends chills through my body to this day. i was 8 when this happened and i remember my brother told me about it. i have 2 books that i found about the accident. "bridge down" and "skyway" very interesting books. tells all about it and interviews with the victims families and photos. a really sad tragedy indeed. i can only imagine what they all went through on that dreadful morning. what a damn shame. i went over that span plenty as a kid.
savican1 2 years ago
@savican1 Are either of those books still in print?
shyvicki 6 months ago
@shyvicki not to my knowledge. was a very rare book and hard find.
savican1 6 months ago
P.S. This is why I have a C.B. in all my vehicles because truck drivers warn about dangers ahead.
dane774 2 years ago
The thing to think about is before the toll both Mr Hornbuckle was in front of the bus and was tied up longer at the toll booth than normal for some reason.
The pictures I had taken was completely lousy due to the factors:::: cheap camera.. rain..way too dark and could not see to focus..The only thing you can see is a turquoise blur in the water.
The pics of the other side was somewhat see able.
Well got to go and find this elusive thing called a job.
dane774 2 years ago
But I will say this I will not let my family go over bridges unless I'm driving???
The thing that bothers me the most was knowing there was people dieing right in front of me and I could not do nothing about it.
I knew there was a buss full of people because I seen the people when we passed them.
dane774 2 years ago
Mr Hornbuckle was in shock or in down right fear. But we were on the other side and We did not see what was going on on the other side but other truck drivers were warning others the bridge was out.
And a reply to"" HGbunny"" As strange it sounds the incident did not bother me then but when I got older is when it really started to affect me.
dane774 2 years ago
damn thats crazy make me not want to drive over it anymore
johndeeremudder 2 years ago
I dont drive or ride over it. I drove over it exactly 1 week to the day at the same time it happened before it happened and did not know that all my lug nuts were off of my wheel! Rolling around and I was wondering what the noise was. At the time I thought I could have lost my wheel and gone over. But luckaly I wasnt there the following week. I hate that bridge and will never go over it again!
buckyandclydefan 2 years ago
I get goosebumps listening to this.
ethicomm 2 years ago 15
Me too, every single time. But I listen to it about every couple of months or so, as it's a part of my & my hometown's history.
HGbunny 2 years ago
That's a terrible legacy to have hanging over your hometown.
ethicomm 2 years ago
Haunting.
TheJediCharles 2 years ago
Thanks for posting, few people realize that the location of the old spot was a very bad place for it to be built.
woodencoasterfan 2 years ago
Start reading my posts from the bottom one up.
There is three of them.
dane774 2 years ago
That's quite a thing to have happen to you when you're so young. I was in the 6th grade & just watched the live reports on TV in our class room.
HGbunny 2 years ago
had taken another step I would have fallen off the bridge. The glow was the cars under the water and they were still moving . I think the current was moving them.
We were hauling Wall street journal news papers to Venice Fl, In a Ford 7000 straight truck.
I live in Altamonte Springs now.
The new skyway bridge was cracking really bad and was found to be a bad design but it is still holding up.
I only went over the new one 3 times. I did not like it.
dane774 2 years ago
Wow! I try my best to avoid the bridge when I'm in the area as well.
MotownGirl88 2 years ago
told him he was full of sh*#t so we went to look at the rear axle to see what had happened and at that point I had told him the driver there was no lights behind us but I could see the other side of the highway. We started to walk back which was about 1100 ft and when we got to where the bridge belonged we could not see anything until I saw a glow under my feet in front of me. If I
dane774 2 years ago
I'm 38 years old and I was very young when this happen when we went over the bridge I remember the bus. We passed it just before the bridge. The truck I was in felt like wind slamming into the truck . The driver knew something bad had happened because there was a big bump like we hit a speed bump only on the back wheels. The driver stopped and just as we were getting out of the truck another driver was saying on the c.b. radio that the skyway bridge was gone. The driver I was with
dane774 2 years ago
There was just ONE thing Chip Callaway had in common with Gerta Hedquist: they both knew Swedish Tennis Star Bjorn Borg. Very sad for Chip... had just so much going for him. Gerta probably was in a better place though, given after she returned from Sweden there probably would not have been much left for her at age 92.
As for the heroic Richard Hornbucke, he passed away back in 2000 at the age of 81 from natural causes. His partner Andy Gattus tied the following year at age 82.
dadsoldtapes 2 years ago
Fascinating recording...
jetmip 2 years ago 2
That's what I was thinking after reading a description of the incident. The Captain of the ship and the Coast Guard dispatcher were calm and clear (as they could be given the emergency) in what could've easily overwhelmed someone under similar circumstances when panic can cause incoherent thoughts. Still, it's very chilling to hear.
bdub24j 2 years ago
An additional note to below...I am a Tamap native and lived there until 2007, when I moved to Minneapolis w/my twin-city native husband. Within 1 month of my arrival, the 35W bridge came down, bringing all those memories back.
HGbunny 2 years ago
I remember this day very well. I was in the 6th grade at Robles Elementary in Tampa. The TV was on all day in the 4 rooms that held all of the 6th graders together. A couple of children had parents who worked in Sarasota/Bradenton, and as I recall, the Sunshine skyway was I-75 back then...the stretch that is currently I-75, nor "I-275" existed yet, so these parents commuted on that bridge every day. We were all so worried for them. They were fine. The sounds here still give me huge chills.
HGbunny 2 years ago
The bridge was not yet part of the interstate system. I-275 terminated much further north at the time, around the Howard Frankland bridge. The Skyway was signed as US 19 at the time of the collapse.
hwyfan 2 years ago
It would absolutely make sense that it was US19. Thank you for telling me. I was pretty young and had lived on the Hillsborough County side my whole life. Going to Pinellas County, and particularly then down south of it via the the Sunshine Skyway, occured very rarely and only when absolutely needed, as my Mom was (and still is) scared half to death of bridges.
HGbunny 2 years ago
When did it extend as part of I-275? I work at AAA in Auto Travel. So we do a lot of road trip planning. Would you recommend the Skyway Bridge? I have planned routes from Clearwater to Sarasota, Ft. Myers, Naples, etc. taking the bridge. Shall I keep on doing it or go around Tampa?
Fanik8 2 years ago
wow......I wonder how deep that water is the bridge was over?
slayerdearly 2 years ago
40-60 feet
moneybelt22 2 years ago
yeah that's about what I was thinking(something like 50)
slayerdearly 2 years ago
i woulnt go that far prolly 20-30
tinkywinkyinc 2 years ago
I own a piece of that bridge. Its the wine rack in my house. Sad that it had to happen.
difficulttoworkwith 2 years ago
i would like to see that
adamskeleton 2 years ago
How did they stop the traffic, and like did they do it before any cars hit Hornbuckle's buick from behind? Also can anyone tell me whether or not they stopped traffic on the undamaged northbound bridge?
dadsoldtapes 2 years ago
They called the Southbound Toll booth to stop letting cars thru, but my understanding that was not done untill after the point at the end when the Coast Guard asked if either span went into the water. I dont think they stopped the northbound untill later when the Highway Patrol got there.
8unu 2 years ago
I heard that the people in Hornbuckle's car that escaped ran down the bridge to stop traffic. They probably never needed to close the northbound bridge but it would have been advisable. They later probably had to close it when they turned it back into two way traffic.
dadsoldtapes 2 years ago
It happened on my birthday :)
999pingu111 2 years ago
the new brij is much taller and wider
danielpilot95 2 years ago
look at 3:58 isnt that giant thing the ship
danielpilot95 2 years ago
I also remember this day. I was pregnant with our oldest child. Stationed at MacDill AFB and working in our orderly room ~ the weather was terrible that day, it looked like night.
And then the breaking news on the radio :-(
2emc 2 years ago
I remember this day. I was working in a hospital that day. It has stayed with me all these years. It was a terrible accident that claimed too many lives.
2Catangel 2 years ago
awesome watchstander behind the radio
FD718 2 years ago 3
such an awesome bridge built many yrs ago. sux what happened 2 her. if none of u had the chance of going over the old skyway, u missed a beautifully built bridge. R.I.P. 4 those that have lost their lives due the accidents
shadykb 2 years ago 9
@shadykb 35 people died not just 4
standardbp 1 year ago
So very sad! And still gives me the chills to watch and listen to this to this day.
AngelPam49 2 years ago 6
@AngelPam49
RobinsRehab 1 year ago
Scary bridge man......
lancekennady 2 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge Disaster = inside job
thedayitriedtodie 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Yeah, just like 9/11!!!!!!1111111111
If you don't sense the sarcasm in this then you're an idiot.
kemiallisetystavat 2 years ago
why?
it's not??
thedayitriedtodie 2 years ago
somebody was lucky at 1:42
Lukelr 2 years ago
no he just wanted to get on camera..he got his wish though.
105inspector 2 years ago
the bridge is big as hell now
xFATALxWOLFx 2 years ago
I just got off the bridge son of a bicth is dangerous and high
lancekennady 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
u were there at the time
105inspector 2 years ago
Wow, 29 years!! When i went to fishing peir,My dad told me he was in school and his teacher had to told them a bridge got hit by a ship in florida.
Also, he told me they disegned the Skyway Bridge after The Grater New Orleans Bridge.
im4florida 2 years ago
I was 15 when this happened, still remember the dark gloomy weather and hearing about it in history class.
capnrob97 2 years ago
We're the same age--I was skipping school that day. (Dixie Hollins)
carliecurtis 2 years ago
to be that car at 1:41. Man, he/she had some quick reflexes to stop that short of tumbling off.
Lukelr 2 years ago
Lukelr,
I didn't live in St. Pete at the time, but I moved here in 1986, and read later in the 5/9/1990 edition of the St. Pete Times that the guy had a friend they carpooled with to work in Bradenton. They were on the way to their job and it was raining so they didn't see the ledge was missing until they were about 100 feet away. Thankfully, they were driving slowly because of the rain. If you look at 1:29, you can see him closing / opening the door.
jrusso7660 2 years ago 2
that looks really scary to be standing right there. i would of probably did my pants
martineznevarez 2 years ago
The old bridge pieces that remain are now Fishing piers on each side of the water.
klabkebash 2 years ago
I had no idea this happened only 4 months after the Blackthorn collision in which 23 men died. That is so strange.
CofCGuy 2 years ago
I lived in Port Tampa when this happend. It was crazy. It had been raining real hard for days. I remember watching channel 44 news when it happend...
demarcus68 2 years ago
ya and blackthorn happend before .... theye moved blackthorns reckage somewhere off of the coast of clear water and i have dived it :) its great
BIGASSLETTERS 2 years ago
this was really sad ... i live in dowtown st.pete .... every one kept fallinf off because of the fog but the last guy that stopped almost fell off and he got out looked at his car and then whent back to his car oppend his trunk and got his golf clubs out and then left kinda funny but stilla sad story
BIGASSLETTERS 2 years ago
I was working at the Greyhound Bus station in Sarasota at this time. I knew the driver that was killed. We had some packages from the bus that arrived all crumbled up and water damaged. days later It was a terrible day. We had people in the bus station waiting for loved ones that never arrived. I traveled across the remaining span when it reopened later and saw what was left. The remining parts of the bridge are now fishing piers.
Fruth37 2 years ago
negativ, negativ, stay on 16.. break, break, pan-pan, pan-pan, pan-pan
deeeephouse 2 years ago
I was 24 and native of tampa bay except for hurricans that was the hardest rain i'd ever seen,that capitan had no business attempting to that manuver without tug guide! and he knew it!
1inamillonion 3 years ago
I was stationed at Air Station St. Petersburg at that time. All the Helicopter Pilots and Med Techs went out ASAP. It was a scary time.
julialuvsjesus 3 years ago 2
Worked for one of the small police agencies at the time, I remember it like it was yesterday. A tragedy. Great posting. Reminding us of those who were taken that day.
Flap999 3 years ago
I've been across the old bridge many times.
spiritswitchboard 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
This is retarded. Where are the dead bodies and the blood? This is youTUBE, not youRADIO or youREAD. I want to see bloody appendages and organs flying through the air. Until then, keep your shitty non-video presentations to yourself.
PS - Worst video ever!
PPS - FL is the worst state in the union and I would vote to nuke it.
chrisvS3 3 years ago
Chris ....the day the skyway fell is book....full of the pictures your asking for....i remember driving over the skyway looking at the collapsed span.....it was a terrible accident on a very scary bridge
afraid2growOLD 3 years ago 2
Floridas awesome I went through the everglades and keys, lotta fun! Too many queers in Keywest tho.
archeeizm 3 years ago
you're a heartless person.
simpleplanehduh 3 years ago
Whoa... I'm from way up here in Canada, but I've crossed the current Sunshine Skyway. A close relative of my gf's told us about this tragedy, and putting the pictures and audio to it is just chilling. Thanks for posting!
kornnut43 3 years ago
This audio is chilling. Thank you for posting it.
2deadlyman 3 years ago 2