On December 15, 1967, the Silver Bridge in Point Pleasant collapsed, killing 46 people. The bridge, which opened in 1928, used a unique eyebar suspension system. At the time of the collapse, 37 vehicles with 67 people were on the bridge. 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 bridge.