What makes some worse than others?
But what of those invitations? Why do some bridges become epic scenes of carnage while others do not? For some, like the Golden Gate, its location is likely the main attractant that draws the mortality minded. For the New River Gorge Bridge, the extreme height probably has a lot to do with its popularity. It is also in a very scenic location. Same thing for the Sunshine Skyway with regards to location. And all of these aforementioned monsters have an aesthetic appeal as well, although I don’t know how much of a determining factor that is. If they were plunked down in some gritty industrial areas, would they still lure as many jumpers? Who knows. But then there are the outliers. The Coronado Bridge in San Diego is one such example. It is a boring looking, plain, unadorned concrete bridge. While I’ve not seen it in person, the pictures and videos of it depict a very pedestrian and unremarkable structure. Yet despite its humble appearance, it is very much the ultimate blood-soaked concrete monster of Southern California, having presided over hundreds of deaths. Worse yet, looking at the way the piers are spaced and the way their bases jut out into the water, it is almost certain that this monster has tasted blood. It isn’t hard to imagine broken, bleeding bodies lying on the bases of those piers where they fell, gore staining the concrete. In regards to why this infernal bridge is so alluring to its victims, I would think that the old real estate saying of “location, location, location” is the key. It isn’t how it looks, but, rather, where it is located.
And then there are epic looking bridges, like the Mackinaw Bridge in Michigan, from where precious few have ever taken the final leap. That one has the classic look and the location. But for some reason, despite the fact that it’s an antique metal monster from the 1950s’, it has apparently invited very few victims to leap to their deaths. The area it is in suffers from some pretty severe weather, especially in the winter, so perhaps that acts as a deterrent for many would be jumpers. But then again, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge also sees some nasty weather year round, which contributes to it being seen as a scary bridge to drive over. It has drawn plenty of jumpers over its 70+ year lifespan, its original east bound span also dating from the mid 20th century. The Key Bridge also had (to a degree) the location (a view of the Baltimore harbor and skyline) and the look, but it saw only occasional jumpers. One would think that it would have, by far, beaten out the bloody Coronado Bridge with regards to deaths. Even though I found it creepy, the Key Bridge did have a sense of rough beauty and elegance as it arched across the Patapsco river. Very much unlike the industrial and utilitarian looking Coronado Bridge.
No one will ever know why John’s friend chose the Key Bridge as a way to meet his maker. He would have been around when it was built, perhaps even having a close view of the construction from where he lived as an adult. John said he had a morbid fascination with the bridge from a young age, so maybe it was also a kind of monster to him. One that promised death but also a permanent relief from whatever struggles he was going thru at the time. A sinister iron demon that beckoned and seduced him with an offer of eternal rest and peace. All he needed do to accept that offer was to drive to the top of the metal monster’s span, get out and then leap over the edge….