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Today in History: Bridge Collapse in Georgia Following Ship Collision

11/7/2025

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Summary

Story summary

On November 7, 1972, the Sidney Lanier Bridge in Brunswick, Georgia, collapsed after the cargo ship SS African Neptune collided with it at 9:50 p.m. EST. The incident caused approximately 450 feet of the bridge to fall, resulting in ten fatalities and injuries to eleven others, along with ten vehicles plunging into the river.

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Story summary

On November 7, 1972, the Sidney Lanier Bridge in Brunswick, Georgia, collapsed after the cargo ship SS African Neptune collided with it at 9:50 p.m. EST. The incident caused approximately 450 feet of the bridge to fall, resulting in ten fatalities and injuries to eleven others, along with ten vehicles plunging into the river.