Admin

Remember? Bridge collapse. Heber Springs AR. October 1989.

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Advantage

Old Swinging Bridge Heber Springs AR collapse

Old Swinging Bridge

In October this old bridge collapsed.  It is at Heber Springs AR and had been closed to traffic in 1972, built in 1912, and could be visited as a walking bridge.  The report sounds as if several visitors were on the bridge and some youths started swinging it and it suddenly collapsed and folks were dropped into the water below.  Five died.  This picture was loaned to me and has ended up belonging to the Historical Society.

I wish some news source would give us a brand new report about this tragedy.  How about that, Searcy Citizen?

 

 

Show All Comments Sort:
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

That bridge looks very similar to one we have in the community of Bridgehouse, here in Sacramento County.  Bridgehouse is difficult to find now, as it has been gobbled up by Rancho Murrieta.  However, the bridge still stands.  As a kid we use to rope swing across it to the waters below.  A newer highway bridge is located nearby, and the old bridge no longer facilitates traffic flow across it, other than golf carts to transport golfers to the golf course which now exists on what use to be open fields.

Jan 28, 2024 12:43 PM
Barbara S. Duncan

They do sound similar.

Jan 29, 2024 04:43 AM
Don Thompson
Donthomp Associates - Sunnyvale, CA

See the American Historic Engineering Record on the Winkley Bridge here.

Collapsed October 28, 1989. [After the completion of the HAER recording project in August 1988, the Winkley bridge collapsed when its cables broke, killing five people and injuring eighteen others.] 

Jan 28, 2024 01:24 PM
Barbara S. Duncan

Thank you, Don.  You can always fill in the blanks!  I'd still like a news story, wouldn't you?

Jan 28, 2024 04:36 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Associate Real Estate Broker

How sad that over enthusiastic kids could cause so much damage and pain.

Jan 28, 2024 03:16 PM
Barbara S. Duncan

You are right, Ed.  Those kids probably still have nightmares.

Jan 29, 2024 04:45 AM
Bill Salvatore - East Valley
Arizona Elite Properties - Chandler, AZ
Realtor - 602-999-0952 / em: golfArizona@cox.net

I do remember hearing about this. Have a super fantastic week!

Bill Salvatore, Realtor- Arizona Elite Properties

Jan 29, 2024 03:58 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Barbara. Do not remember hearing about this on the news, but have heard about bridge collapses over the years. A sad event. Maybe your local paper will respond. Enjoy your day.

Jan 29, 2024 04:05 AM
Barbara S. Duncan

Thank you, Wayne.

Jan 29, 2024 04:45 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

The 10-29-1989 New York Times included an article about this disaster. Apparently 30-50 people were on the bridge at the time, rocking it. Terrible!

(I will email the article to you - it's in PDF form)

Jan 29, 2024 06:06 AM
Barbara S. Duncan

Please do.  Barbara@barbaraSduncan.co

Jan 29, 2024 02:42 PM