It was Friday, May 9, 1980 -- at 7:33 am -- when the freighter Summit Venture rammed into the Sunshine Skyway Bridge during a severe storm.
The bridge's support pier was no match for the 20,000-ton ship. The pier was destroyed and the roadway above crashed into the waters of Tampa Bay.
Though the blinding rain, drivers in the southbound lanes were unable to see the missing roadway ahead. Six cars, a truck, and a Greyhound Bus plunged into the waters below. One man survived. 35 others were killed.
- Read the St. Petersburg Times next-day account of the accident
- Visit a Skyway Bridge Memorial
- The Skyway's Lone Survivor
- Get to know the NEW Sunshine Skyway Bridge
- FLORIDA MATTERS: Jumping Off the Skyway Bridge -- and Surviving
