On This Day: Ironworkers Memorial Bridge collapsed 57 years ago

On this day, 57 years ago, the Second Narrows Bridge collapsed, in what would be the most fatal industrial incident in the history of British Columbia.

On June 17, 1958, 79 workers constructing the new Second Narrows Bridge plunged into the Burrard Inlet as the bridge collapsed in the middle of construction.

A total of 18 workers died, along with a scuba diver who was helping search for bodies in the water. The collapse caused a 175 feet plunge, and the heavy gear attached to the workers was a likely cause of most of their deaths.

The bridge was officially renamed the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing in honour of the workers who died on that day.

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