One year later…

Last night I watched that special about the Key Bridge, and, for the most part, it was a waste of time. A good portion was consumed by interviews with politicians, one of whom (our foolish governor) was far more concerned with his upcoming run for re-election than the bridge disaster. Which, of course, is something that politicians often do. All the better it would have been to have given them far less airtime! That said, there were some interesting interviews with some of the people who were involved in the rescue mission and clean up, as well as people who live nearby and had the metal monster almost in their backyards. Some were quite upset by the collapse, and also the fact that their neighborhoods are now cut off from those right across the river. One man who was interviewed said that he was able to see the bridge from his bedroom window, and he remarked about how odd it is to not see it since that fateful night. Others interviewed included some who had worked to build the bridge and were saddened to see that the metal monster they helped create was destroyed.

Also, there was a man who captains a Coast Guard boat who recounted the disaster and his involvement in the rescue and clean up. This is man likely also quite familiar with the unseen and untold tragedies relating to the fallen monster. Those are incidents that would almost never be so much as mentioned in the mass media. For metal and concrete monsters that span waterways where there is shipping traffic, generally it is the Coast Guard that is tasked with recovering the remains of those victims. I cannot help but wonder about the thoughts of those so affected by the “hidden” deaths related to this bridge. It is unfortunate that this “elephant in the room” is so ignored. I wonder if anyone who has any influence has considered this issue with regards to the design of the new bridge.

Yet there are some people who try and illuminate the elephant, not to glamorize it, but rather to prevent others from falling victim. I had a brief conversation with a woman on a social media site not long ago who lost her husband to the Tampa demon several years ago. She is quite upfront and vocal about the gruesome death her husband suffered and her successful efforts to have the deadly monster bound and chained.

That aspect always lurks in the shadows, but it is part of the past with regards to the Key Bridge. At least until the new one is built.