Ironworkers honour 68 years since Second Narrows Bridge collapse

Nearly 70 years after the Second Narrows Bridge collapse, the last survivor gathered in New Brighton Park on Wednesday, June 17 to read the names of the 19 people who died in the tragedy.

Lucien Lessard, 97, stood alongside family, friends, iron workers, labour groups, and dignitaries to mark the 68th anniversary of one of British Columbia's worst industrial disasters. On June 17, 1958, at around 3:40 p.m., Lessard and his co-workers were on the bridge when it suddenly collapsed, sending them plunging into Burrard Inlet. Most who died were iron workers. A diver attempting to recover one of their bodies died shortly after, and four more workers' lives were lost before construction finished in 1960.

Lessard emerged from the collapse with a broken arm and leg, spending four months in hospital. To honour those lost, 19 red roses were placed in a bouquet, each representing a life, family, and legacy. A white rose stood apart, symbolizing Lessard's survival.

The memorial has been organized by Ironworkers Local 97 for over 20 years. In 1994, the bridge was officially renamed the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing. Paul Beacom, president of Ironworkers Local 97, reflected on the sacrifice: "They were fathers, sons, brothers and friends. They were proud tradespeople, skilled iron workers who showed up to do a dangerous job to help shape this city and its future."

Following a tradition started by Lessard's daughter, he passed an iron rose to a third-year apprentice iron worker. An investigation into the collapse pinned responsibility on a miscalculation by bridge engineers that went undetected by plan designers, resulting in a temporary support beam cut too short. MLA Bowinn Ma and Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside both underscored the need to continue improving workplace safety standards.