Old suspension bridge in the Ngakawau Gorge.1981.

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DescriptionI took this photo of the old suspension bridge in the Ngakawau Gorge in the August school holidays of 1981. It was an obstacle to developing the whole Charming Creek Walkway and sometime later that year Fijian Army recruits in the NZ Army replaced it as an engineering exercise. The bridge, which had a 116 ft span (about 35m) dated from early 1935. It replaced the original suspension bridge which collapsed as a lokey and rake of coal trucks were crossing it, resulting in the death of Sandy Marshall (manager of the Charming Creek Coal Mine) who was riding the buffer on the last coal truck.PhotographerStephen WrightDate of Photo1981Map^[1]ContributorStephen Wright

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Location (city or town)Ngakawau GorgeEvent Old suspension bridge in the Ngakawau Gorge.1981.

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Category TagBridge

From Facebook

Date Created7th July 2021CommentsGreg Hine
Is the one replaced by the new swing bridge that’s there now? Think there’s a plaque that says it was built by NZ & Fijian Army engineers?

Chris Burles
Greg Hine Yes.

Matthew Howard
I remember walking across that bridge in the early 70s, it was pretty scary

Stuart McMillan
Looks a bit unsafe for heavy machinery to use it

Chris Burles
Stuart McMillan The line closed in 1958..

Dee Maynard
She'll be right mate

David Wood
A suspension bridge with a rail line over it? That would be a rare thing.

Alf Haswell
around 1960

Mike Stevens
Great shot

Elaine Matthews

Amazing engineering for the time. Thanks for the great picture.

Raymond Snee
I remember rocking that thing back and forth years ago, bits falling off into the river.

Kenneth Hill
Mate and I used to cross it at night spotlighting the charming creek area, bit earlier than 81 but still trusting our luck to cross the missing sleepers.

Trevor Coleman
Kenneth Hill we use to wander up there in the 70s Don't think I'd have crossed it at night back then

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Old suspension bridge in the Ngakawau Gorge.1981.

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