Overload May Have Led to Bridge Collapse

A preliminary police investigation shows structural failure caused the pedestrian bridge over Hidden Lake to collapse late Saturday, sending more than 50 people into murky, 6- to 8-feet-deep water and causing a variety of injuries.

Ross Township Trustee John Rooda agreed with Merrillville Police Chief Joe Petruch's explanation of the accident. Rooda said overloading caused the collapse.

"There were far too many people on the bridge. It was overloaded," he said. "We had uniformed (Merrillville) police officers at both ends. We shoot for 20 people. It can handle up to 40. We're confident there were twice as many on the bridge."

Rooda said the bridge was inspected by a construction company about a year ago and fixed.

"It was totally redone a year ago. The decking was all replaced. The fencing was improved. There was nothing structurally wrong with it," he said. "We redid any sections they had recommended that could possibly have any problems. It was simply overloaded. The chief of police says structural failure, but anything will fail if it's way over capacity."

The accident happened around 10:08 p.m. at the park, south of 61st Avenue and east of Broadway in Merrillville, as 10,000 people were leaving the park after watching Ross Township's annual Fourth of July fireworks display. Many were making their way across the 90-foot wooden pedestrian suspension bridge when 1.5-inch cables carrying the weight snapped.

Screaming parents and children fell as far as 12 feet into the water along with baby strollers, blankets, purses, cameras and backpacks.

Chaos and panic ensued while Merrillville Police officers, Ross Township volunteer firefighters, lifeguards and bystanders formed human chains and searched the dark waters, rescuing several. Divers from the Lake County Police Department's Aquatics team also searched for missing people.

A helicopter was brought in to provide light to emergency workers. Fifteen ambulances from Prompt Ambulance Service responded to the scene. When rescue operations ended at 1:08 a.m., all victims were accounted for and no one was reported missing.

"What could have been a much more serious incident fortunately was not," Rooda said.

He attributed that to rescue workers who responded quickly. So did volunteer Ross Township firefighters who were selling corn close to the bridge, but immediately offered help as rescuers when the accident happened, he said.

Victims were taken to St. Mary's Medical Center in Hobart, Methodist Hospitals in Merrillville and Saint Anthony Medical Center in Crown Point. Rooda said the worst injuries were a man who broke his collar bone and a woman who broke her leg.

Witnesses said up to 350 people may have been on the bridge at the same time.

Firefighters and police continued their investigations Sunday. Several victims also stopped by to search for missing items. A lost-and-found office will be set up at the park office Monday.

The park is owned by the Ross Township Trustee's office.