On this date in 1980, at 7:38 AM, the Summit Venture crashed into the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, collapsing the middle span into 50 feet of water in the channel of Tampa Bay. The Greyhound bus plunged 150ft into the story waters and it’s passengers perished.
John Lerro, a Tampa Bay Pilot was the scapegoat, and hounded for the remainder of his life. He died years later suffering from MS.
We all remember one lucky man, Richard Hornbuckle; his car stopped 14 inches shy of flying off the bridge.
I had recurring dreams as a youngster of being on a bridge going down, a bridge that looked remarkably like the old Skyway. I hated driving over that bridge, and still today fret.
Some time today, give a moment to think of those who perished that day, in conditions that no one should have been driving.
27 years ago, and it seems like just yesterday.
I can think of at least 50 others way to die, more fitting a human being.
That’s how we see it!
Praise God (Laus Deo),
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