Zero human lives were lost during the catastrophic collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. This event, while a significant moment in civil engineering history, is remarkably distinguished by the absence of human fatalities.
Casualties of the Collapse
Despite the dramatic and destructive nature of the bridge's failure on November 7, 1940, all individuals on the bridge at the time were able to escape to safety.
A summary of the casualties is provided below:
| Casualty Type | Number of Fatalities |
|---|---|
| Human | 0 |
| Animal | 1 |
The Sole Fatality: Tubby the Dog
The only recorded fatality stemming from the Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapse was that of a Cocker Spaniel named Tubby. Tubby tragically perished after being abandoned in a car on the bridge by his owner, Leonard Coatsworth, who had initially attempted to retrieve the dog but was forced to evacuate due to the bridge's extreme movements.
This lack of human casualties, despite the bridge's complete structural failure, remains a notable aspect of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge story, highlighting the focus on property damage and engineering lessons rather than human tragedy.
