Historical Events tagged with "transportation"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Transportation & Infrastructure

New Eastern Span of Bay Bridge Opens to Traffic

September 2nd, 2013 11 years ago

The Eastern span replacement of the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge officially opened at 10:15 PM after years of construction that followed the catastrophic damage incurred from the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Built at an impressive cost of $6.4 billion, the new span features modern engineering intended to withstand future seismic events. The opening marked a significant advancement in the infrastructure of the Bay Area, with thousands of vehicles expected to use the bridge daily. It represents a culmination of efforts to enhance safety and optimize transportation in the region.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

Dhamara Ghat Train Accident Claims 37 Lives

August 19th, 2013 11 years ago

A tragic train accident occurred in the Dhamara Ghat region of Bihar, India, resulting in at least 37 fatalities. The train derailed and collided with a bus, leading to significant casualties and injuries among passengers. The incident highlighted safety concerns in India's railway system and prompted investigations into the cause of the crash. Emergency services quickly responded to the scene, providing much-needed assistance to the wounded and bereaved families.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

UPS Airlines Flight 1354 Crashes in Birmingham

August 14th, 2013 11 years ago

UPS Airlines Flight 1354, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F, crashed while attempting to land at Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport. The accident occurred in the early morning hours as the flight was approaching the runway. Both crew members on board were killed. Initial investigations indicated that both crew members were experienced, highlighting the need for stringent safety protocols in air travel.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

Fatal High-Speed Train Derailment in Spain

July 24th, 2013 11 years ago

A high-speed train derailed near Santiago de Compostela, Spain, while rounding a curve, exceeding the speed limit of 80 km/h (50 mph) at a speed of 190 km/h (120 mph). The incident resulted in the deaths of 78 passengers and injured many more, marking one of Spain's deadliest train accidents in history. Evidence indicated that the driver was aware of the approaching curve but failed to reduce speed adequately.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

De Havilland Otter Air Taxi Crash in Alaska

July 7th, 2013 11 years ago

A De Havilland Otter air taxi crashed near Soldotna, Alaska, killing ten passengers aboard. The aircraft, operated by a local air taxi service, was returning from a fishing trip when it encountered difficulties during takeoff. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the plane struggle shortly after leaving the water. Rescue efforts were immediately initiated, but all ten individuals on board were confirmed deceased following the accident. This incident raised safety concerns regarding air travel in the region and reminded many of the challenges in navigating the Alaskan wilderness.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

Asiana Airlines Flight 214 Crash in San Francisco

July 6th, 2013 11 years ago

A Boeing 777 operated by Asiana Airlines crashed during its landing approach at San Francisco International Airport. The aircraft, carrying 307 people, struck a seawall at the end of the runway, resulting in a tragic outcome: three fatalities and injuries to 181 individuals. The incident occurred as the plane misjudged its landing speed, leading to a significant emergency response and subsequent investigations into aviation safety protocols.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

Deadly Lac-Mégantic Train Derailment and Explosion

July 6th, 2013 11 years ago

A 73-car oil train derailed in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec, resulting in a massive explosion that led to the loss of at least 47 lives. The incident also destroyed over 30 buildings in the town's central area, leaving a significant part of the community devastated. The train was transporting crude oil and failed to stop, causing it to collide and derail. The explosion occurred late at night, affecting many residents who were asleep at the time, and resulted in a heartbreaking aftermath for families and the community.

Continue Reading
Transportation & Infrastructure

I-5 Skagit River Bridge Collapse in Washington

May 23rd, 2013 11 years ago

A bridge collapse occurred in Mount Vernon, Washington, when a section of the I-5 Skagit River bridge fell into the water. The incident was reportedly triggered by an oversized truck hitting a bridge beam, leading to the structural failure. Several vehicles were on the bridge at the time, resulting in injuries but no fatalities. Emergency services responded swiftly to rescue individuals from the water and assess injuries. The collapse raised concerns about infrastructure safety and led to an investigation into bridge design and maintenance practices.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

National Airlines Flight 102 Boeing 747 Crash

April 29th, 2013 11 years ago

National Airlines Flight 102, a Boeing 747-400 freighter, crashed shortly after takeoff from Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, resulting in the loss of all seven crew members on board. The aircraft, operating under a United States Department of Defense contract, encountered difficulties during ascent, leading to the tragic incident. The flight was part of routine logistics support related to military operations in the region.

Continue Reading