![The Polish captain made a fatal mistake and the bridge collapsed. “The cars fell into the abyss” [Historia]](https://ocdn.eu/pulscms-transforms/1/bUyk9kpTURBXy82ODJkZDRkMzhmZWFlZjcyNGEyMzBhODY2NGNmMzgzMS5qcGeTlQMAAM0EsM0Co5MJpjVmZDUxNwaTBc0EsM0Cdt4AAaEwAQ/po-katastrofie-tasman-bridge-zostal-odbudowany-zdj-youtubecomabc-news-australia.jpg "The Polish captain made a fatal mistake and the bridge collapsed. “The cars fell into the abyss” [Historia]")
- Lake Illawarra was launched in 1957 and remained afloat for almost two decades before sinking into the Derwent River (southern Tasmania).
- The tragedy caused the deaths of 12 people, including seven crew members and five people from cars driving on the bridge when it collapsed.
- The investigation showed that the ship's captain, Bolesław Belek, was responsible for the accident
- You can find more such stories on the Onet homepage
On the cold and rainy evening of January 5, 1975, the bulk carrier Lake Illawarra, loaded with $2 million worth of zinc ore, was sailing down the Derwent River and was about to pass under the Tasman Bridge, which connects the two halves of Hobart. . This was one of many voyages the ship has made in the nearly 20 years since its launch in 1957.
According to Antypody.info, the ship's captain was 60-year-old Bolesław Pelc – a Pole and experienced sailor who had lived in Sydney for many years. It was supposed to be the most unlucky and tragic day of his career.
The bridge disappeared from the view of drivers
As the Lake Illawarra approached the Tasman Bridge, Belk realized the 135-metre-long bulk carrier had been blown off course by a strong tidal current. The captain ordered a significant reduction in speed, but it was too late. The ship turned sideways toward the bridge and collided with two towers, destroying them. Three bridges with a length of 127 meters fell with them, and passing cars fell into the water and onto the ship.
The Lake Illawarra set off on its maiden voyage in September 1957.
“There was fog when we were driving over the bridge. For some reason, all the lights went out, and we thought there was an accident. The next moment my wife shouted at me saying there was no bridge. I put on the brakes, but I didn’t think we would be able to stop.” The car he was driving with his wife and 16-year-old daughter was hanging over the edge, 45 meters above the water, Frank Manley recalled to ABC News Australia.
Those who got out of the stuck cars tried to warn oncoming drivers. Manley's daughter was able to stop the bus, but not everyone listened. As Murray Laing, who rescued his family and two children from another car hanging over the edge, recalled years later, two drivers overtook them at full speed and fell into the abyss.
Three spans of the Tasman Bridge fell
The disaster led to the death of 12 people: five drivers and seven crew members who were unable to escape from the plane. Captain Belk and the rest of his men were rescued by locals who came to help in their own boats. They took risks as they swam across fallen pieces of concrete and exposed cables.
Two years passed before the bridge was rebuilt
Lake Illawarra tilted under the weight and sank within minutes of the impact. A later investigation showed that the disaster was caused by strong tides and Belk's negligence. As punishment, his license was suspended for six months.
As a result of the disaster, the eastern areas of Hobart were cut off from the city centre. The trip to work or school was 90 minutes longer, and the statistics were several tens of percent longer. Increased rates of crime, car theft, and family disputes.
Communication was restored only on October 8, 1977, when the bridge was rebuilt. The trace of the disaster remained – one of the towers was not rebuilt because there was a lot of debris at the bottom. Lake Illawarra was also left under water.
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