This is a single suspension bridge from the Bridgemeister historical inventory of suspension bridges.

1986: Te Rata

King Country, New Zealand - Retaruke River
Bridgemeister ID:2097 (added 2006-07-04)
Year Completed:1986
Name:Te Rata
Also Known As:Berryman
Location:King Country, New Zealand
Crossing:Retaruke River
Coordinates:39.113030 S 175.096169 E
Maps:Acme, GeoHack, Google, OpenStreetMap
Principals:New Zealand Army, John Armstrong
Use:Vehicular
Status:Derelict, since March 22, 1994 (last checked: 2013)
Main Cables:Wire (steel)

Notes:

  • Collapsed under weight of a light truck driven by Kenneth Richards killing Richards. Built by the New Zealand Army for the Berryman family, the bridge's collapse precipitated a long legal battle between the Berrymans (on whose land the bridge was built), the Occupation Safety and Health Department (suing the Berrymans over Richards' death) and the Army (accused of concealing a report stating the bridge's collapse was partially due to a design flaw).
  • Replaced Hayes - Retaruke, King Country, New Zealand.

Find bridges within of this bridge's location (39.113030 S 175.096169 E)

Do you have any information or photos about this bridge that you would like to share? Please email david.denenberg@bridgemeister.com.

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