It was September 15th, a peaceful Saturday morning like any other day on the bay of Laguna Vista. People were still trying to cope with the events that occurred only a few days prior in New York that crippled the whole nation. Early morning the traffic was light heading from Port Isabel to South Padre Island and vice versa when all of a sudden the sound of thunder shook the bridge. A barge going under the causeway veered off its course and slammed into the bridge causing a big 160 ft gap causing several cars to plummet into the water from a height of about 85 feet. All in all 8 people were killed instantly on this tragic event. The family members of Robert “Bob” Harris, Hector Martinez Jr, Barry “Harpoon” Welch and Chelsea Welch, from Port Isabel; Julio M. Gonzalez of Los Fresnos; Robin Leavell of Mercedes, Francisco Rivas of Humble, and Gaspar S. Hinojosa of Kingsville were forever changed.
A memorial named Queen Isabella Memorial Park was made to honor all the victims who perished that day. An 8 sided octagonal post with the names of those deceased can be found as soon as you make it over the bridge in South Padre Island.
The memories live with each and everyone of us who cross this bridge, their lives will not be forgotten.
In nomine dei patris, et filli, et spiritu sancti, Amen.
Put a ramp for the street bikes& 4X4’s
Can’t believe it was that long ago, but it was a tragic night, only over shadowed by 911 the week before, otherwise it would have been all over the National news.
We too road the ferry back and forth to our condo, first just getting a ride for $10 on one of the boats helping people get over to check their properties once it was cleared by the police. Only residents were allowed back over there at first.
It was really strange to walk out on the beach and look both ways in the beginning and not see anyone on the beach. One day there was a lady sitting there, and she said she was supposed to have left the day before, but just decided to stay the extra week till the ferries started operating since it was so peaceful.
The restaurants on the island were really good in the beginning without electricity in giving their food out, etc., before it would go bad to the residents and people stranded. Yes…there was some gouging later, but overall the community came together.
14 years/…!! Wow.
Mahalo…George ‘Diddie’ Squyres
thanks for sharing this 🙂
Thanks Frank, I remember all too well. My family and I lived on the island, our second year of managing a hotel on the vay side. My daughter a student at Garriga elem she loved the boat & ferry rides to and from. Shopping at HEB, waiting in line for the ferry, charging 20 dls a night to those who were stuck on SPI that faithful week until the drenching opened up the ocean floor for the ferries. So many people helped out others came just to see the devastation. That area will forever have its legacy of beauty, people crossing back and forth like nothing. Those people who met their fate shall forever be remembered and missed. I remember news channel 4 had interviewed people who said it was a bomb that had exploded, volunteers everywhere handing out water and SPI made it national tv coverage. We left SPI in 2006 been in san antonio since 2009, I keep coming back to visit, I love the area. As a matter of fact Im due down there for thanksgiving. Thanks again for remembering and honoring that faithful event!