On 15 October 1970, Melbourne’s West Gate Bridge collapsed during construction, killing 35 workers in what remains Australia’s worst industrial accident. The disaster occurred when engineers attempted to correct a misalignment between two bridge segments by loading them with concrete blocks. The span buckled, and 2000 tonnes of concrete and steel fell 50 metres into the Yarra River and surrounding industrial yards. Many of the victims were on their lunch break in workers' huts underneath the bri

Killing 35, the collapse of two spans of the West Gate Bridge in 1970 remains Australia's worst industrial accident. | The Age

Tomorrow marks the 47th Anniversary of the West Gate Bridge collapse, Australia's worst industrial disaster that claimed 35 lives. Made 40 years later, this video features interviews, photos and footage to tell the story of how it all happened and what the impact was on workers and their families. Join the commemoration, 11:30am Sunday 15th October 2017 at the West Gate Memorial, Spotswood. | CFMEU Vic-Tas