The Tasman Bridge, connecting the city of Hobart to its eastern suburbs, was a vital piece of infrastructure completed in 1964. It spanned the Derwent River and served as a major thoroughfare for both vehicles and pedestrians. On January 5, 1975, the bulk ore carrier Lake Illawarra, a vessel operated by the Tasmanian government, was navigating the river when it was ultimately struck by the ship. The collision was severe enough that it caused a significant segment of the bridge to collapse, resulting in multiple vehicles plummeting into the water below. At the time of the accident, many cars were on the bridge, leading to an immediate crisis situation as emergency services rushed to the scene.The aftermath revealed that twelve individuals lost their lives due to the suddenness of the collapse, while several others were injured. Rescue operations commenced immediately, with divers and emergency personnel working tirelessly in challenging conditions to recover victims and search for survivors. Investigations into the cause of the accident revealed a combination of navigational errors and possible mechanical failures aboard the Lake Illawarra, raising questions about safety protocols for large vessels navigating in close proximity to urban infrastructure. This incident sparked a revision of shipping and traffic regulations in the region to prevent future accidents from occurring.