Day of Disaster on Point Ellice Bridge

Last Sunday marked the 128th anniversary of the worst streetcar accident in North American history—the collapse of Victoria’s Point Ellice bridge from the weight of a trolley carrying more than twice its legal limit of holidayers. Within minutes, 55 people were dead.

Sadly, like so many disasters of history, it was the result of human error—not just too many people in the car, but a bridge that was well-known to be structurally challenged. The resulting court cases went on for years.

Today, this busy crossing is known as the Bay Street bridge. By either name, it’s a heck of a story and it’s in next week’s Chronicles.

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PHOTO: Pulled from its watery grave, the doomed streetcar. —BC Archives