A late-night crossing over Chicago’s river turned terrifying when a section of the 12th Street Bridge suddenly gave way beneath a crowd of streetcar passengers.
The bridge had already been partly closed for construction work below, forcing passengers to leave one streetcar and walk across the dangerous stretch to reach another.
As the group hurried together across the footway, they heard a rumble, then a crash. In an instant, the walkway dropped out from under them, sending many into the pits below.
Though no deaths were reported, at least ten people were seriously injured, and many others survived only by grabbing onto the side timbers as the bridge collapsed around them.
Collapse of River Bridge
CHICAGO, Illinois. — Ten persons were seriously injured and twenty others narrowly escaped last night, when 250 feet of the 12th Street Bridge over the river collapsed. None were killed so far as known.
The bridge was closed on its went approach for construction work on a railroad viaduct underneath. The accident occurred just after a street car had run part of the way across the bridge and thirty passengers has alighted to walk over the dangerous portion to take another car.
The passengers were hurrying in a huddled group when there was a loud rumbling, followed by a crash, and the footway sank beneath them, carrying many to the pits below.
Many escaped by clinging to side timbers. These with the car crews began the work of rescue, and most of the injured were taken out before the police ambulances came.
Several suffered broken legs and arms and internal injuries.
Traffic on three railroads was belayed for an hour by the accident.
Source: Evening Star. Washington, D.C. August 19, 1909.
