On December 15, 1967, the Silver Bridge in Point Pleasant collapsed, killing 46 people. At the time of the collapse, 37 vehicles with 67 people were on the bridge.

The bridge, which opened in 1928, used a unique eyebar suspension system. The cause of the collapse was a hidden flaw in one of the metal links that couldn’t be seen during regular inspections. After the collapse, rescue efforts lasted 16 days. This tragedy led to the creation of a national bridge inspection program to improve safety. The Silver Bridge’s twin bridge in St. Marys was also closed, later replaced by a new one.