Bridge Collapse Brings Back Painful Memories

Thursday, August 2nd 2007, 8:16 pm

By: News On 6

The pictures coming out of Minnesota aren't just a grim reminder for rescue workers, but also for families who lost loved ones in the I-40 bridge collapse. The News On 6â€™s Ashli Sims reports one Tulsa mother says she took one look at the news and all of the painful memories started welling up.

"Oh my heart just, I just couldn't hardly stand it. It just brought back everything,â€ said Wilma Martin.

Seeing the twisted wreckage of Minnesota's bridge brought Wilma Martin back to the day Webbers Fallsâ€™ I-40 bridge crashed into the Arkansas River.

In May of 2002, a tugboat crashed into the bridge sending a 500-foot section and dozens of cars, tumbling into the water.

Fourteen were killed, including Wilma Martin's son Wayne Martin and his wife Susan Martin.

â€œThat was the hardest thing I've ever had to go through, to lose a child, and my daughter-in-law was just like a child. We never had a cross word. We were always so good together,â€ she said.

It's been five years, the bridge has been repaired, but nothing can fix a mother's heart.

"It's hard every day, and it don't get a lot easier,â€ she said.

Wilma Martin says it's tough on her whole family. Wayne Martinâ€™s youngest daughter now has a son, but even that joy is tinged with sadness.

"If Wayne could only hold him,â€ said Wilma Martin.

She says she wants to reach out to the Minnesota victims, because she knows all too well the tragedy and the grief they face.

"I prayed for them all day,â€ she said. â€œI know what they're going through."

In May of 2003, a memorial was dedicated to the victims of the I-40 bridge collapse. It still stands on the western shore of the Arkansas River.

Watch the video: Woman's Son And Daughter-In-Law Killed In I-40 Bridge Collapse

Related Stories:

08/02/2007 1-40 Bridge Collapse Survivors Reach Out To Minnesota Victims

8/2/2007 Bridge Failure Recalls Oklahoma I-40 Collapse

8/2/2007 Area Bridge Safety

8/2/2007 Official Death Toll At 4 In Minneapolis Bridge Collapse