Lightning Strike and Loss: Remembering the 1947 Columbus Bridge Tragedy
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By Emma Walker, World-Today-News.com
Columbus, Ohio, experienced a somber turn of events on August 21, 1947, when a seemingly ordinary summer rainstorm culminated in a tragic incident on a local bridge. A direct lightning strike triggered a powerful explosion, sending debris and four individuals into the Scioto River.
A Sudden and Violent Impact
The lightning strike caused bricks and concrete to dislodge from the bridge structure, plunging four employees of the Veterans Management into the river below. quick-thinking bystanders immediately entered the water to initiate a rescue effort.
one Life Lost, Questions Remain
While three of the women were rescued with injuries consisting of bruises and broken bones, Marion Johnson, a dedicated advocate for veterans since her service during World War I, succumbed to her injuries in the hospital the following morning. Her passing marked a profound loss for the veteran community she served.
The cause of the explosion remained a subject of debate. Initial theories proposed that air pockets trapped beneath the bridge’s arches were rapidly superheated by the lightning, creating the force of the blast. Tho,the possibility of a gas main located under the roadway was also investigated.
Settlement and Continued Service
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the exact cause, the incident led to a legal settlement three years later. Survivors quietly reached an agreement with the Ohio Fuel Gas Company, the details of which were not widely publicized.
From Tragedy to Replacement
The damage sustained was largely limited to the sidewalk on the south side of the bridge,allowing vehicular traffic to resume within hours of the event. The bridge continued to serve the community for another 45 years, until its eventual replacement in 1992.
The new structure, named the Revelation Bridge, was constructed to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s voyage to America. Today, the site stands as a testament to both progress and a poignant, often-forgotten chapter in Columbus’s history.
thousands of people now cross the Discovery Bridge daily, largely unaware of the dramatic events that unfolded on its predecessor decades ago. The 1947 tragedy serves as a reminder of the unpredictable power of nature and the resilience of the Columbus community.
