‘The Skyway Bridge Disaster: A True Story’ premieres in HB May 8

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The freighter Summit Venture is moved by a tug boat from the wreckage of the bridge. A diver at the scene May 9, 1980, will introduce the 69-minute documentary film May 8 at Holmes Beach City Hall. The event is hosted by The Islander. Islander Photo: Gene Page III
A poster promotes “a true story” of “The Skyway Bridge Disaster” by filmmakers Frankie VanDeBoe and Steve Yerrid.

The Islander will host the premiere Wednesday, May 8, of a 69-minute documentary, “The Skyway Bridge Disaster: A True Story.”

Reserved seats for the premiere are $50 each.

The doors at Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive, will open at 6:30 p.m. Moderator Robert Raiola, a diver who helped recover bodies from the bay, will open the program at 7 p.m.

The documentary tells the story of how, in a squall, the Summit Venture collided with a bridge support column, sending more than 1,200 feet of the bridge into the bay.

The Islander also will raffle archival photographs taken at the scene of the bridge collapse by the late editor/photographer for many years at The Islander, Paul Roat.

Any seats not reserved in advance will be open seating the night of the event.

Proceeds will benefit the local U.S. Coast Guard Flotilla 81’s nonprofit Safe Seas of Florida.

For tickets or more information, call The Islander at 941-778-7978 or email info@islander.org.