Black Bridge Collapse Memorial October 6th in Kamloops – Electrical Workers Local 993

Posted on September 27, 2024 9:05 am

IUOE Local 115 invites you to participate in the 100 Year Memorial Vigil remembering the Anniversary of the Kamloops Bridge Collapse (1924).

• The event will be on October 6th at 1pm, the day two men tragically lost their lives 100 years ago.
• The location will be the Pleasant Street Cemetery, 1055 8th Ave, Kamloops.
  https://maps.app.goo.gl/PQoM5ZQfHbgaguFw9

October 6, 1924, Kamloops experienced the devastating tragedy when two members of the Structural Iron Workers Local 97 fell into the Thompson River while working to erect a replacement bridge, initially built out of wood.  When their scaffolding failed, the men plunged into the river and tragically drowned, weighed down by their tools and work clothes.

The bridge at the time was known as the Black Bridge, but it no longer exists today.  The two men who will be honoured are Patrick Fardy, aged 52, from Newfoundland, and John Walstrom, aged 56, an immigrant from Sweden.  Both are buried at the Pleasant Street Cemetery in Kamloops.

All that remains of this workplace tragedy, nearly 100 years later, are two concrete pillars from where the new bridge was being constructed.  These pillars can still be seen downstream from the current Overlander’s Bridge.

In an effort to honour their memory and raise awareness for improvements in workplace safety in BC and across Canada, you are invited to join our IUOE and IW97 family in this vigil.

In addition to raising awareness the IUOE are also looking at raising some funds  to clean up the fallen workers’ shared tombstone as it has fallen into disrepair. They would also like to replace the flag and pole that was once at the cemetery.   There will be an opportunity to donate at a later date to help with the project.  More details will follow.

Hope that you will be able to attend.