These pages explore Victoria's worst-ever industrial accident, the collapse of the partially completed West Gate Bridge, through official records held by Public Record Office Victoria. The reconstructed bridge was completed in 1978.

This story of the disaster is told using records held at Public Record Office Victoria: extracts from the royal commission’s report, coronial inquest papers and photographic collections. Other resources have also been gathered with the assistance of VicRoads.

The public record documents both the triumphs and tragedies in Victoria’s past. Whilst we now celebrate the West Gate Bridge as one of the state’s most impressive icons, we reflect upon the events of 1970 to pay tribute to those that lost their lives.