International Railroad Bridge News

The Coast Guard responded to the collision between the small passenger vessel MISS BUFFALO II and the International Railroad Swing Bridge located on the Black Rock Canal, four miles north of downtown Buffalo on June 5. Following a tour of the Buffalo water front area, the passenger vessel was returning to its dock with 175 persons onboard including 120 school children from Maple West Elementary School in Williamsville, N.Y., parents, teachers and the vessels crew. At approximately 11 a..m., the 82-foot passenger vessel passed through the International Railroad swing bridge, along with two other vessels, when the bridge began to close. Part of the bridge hit the canopy of the boat, collapsing it on to the passengers and injuring two adults and one child.