Our hearts go out the victims and families who were affected by the bridge collapse in Minneapolis. The scenes of the carnage was shocking. It reminded us that we had our own bridge disaster in 1896 when a street car filled with people heading to the Queen Victoria celebrations crossed the Point Ellice Bridge (now the Bay St). The street car was overloaded and plunged into the Gorge. Fifty five men, women and children died that day in May. Here is an excerpt from a book called Emily:Disaster At the Bridge...

Slowly, Car 16 rolled onto the bridge. "We'll be lucky to get over with this load," the conductor remarked.

Emily took no notice of his words. What an adventure, taking the streetcar over the Gorge. And how brave of George to go on his bicycle. She was about to say as much to Alice when she heard a loud crack, like a gunshot. Her stomach lurched. Suddenly afraid, she reached for Alice's hand.

Then a second explosive crack split the air. Emily felt herself falling. The world turned into a terrifying confusion of arms and legs and bodies as the streetcar dropped through space and crashed into the water below.

Lest We Forget.