I got an early call at 6am on the Sunday morning for a taxi accident at the notorious Van Staden's River Bridge, west of Port Elizabeth on the N2. SOS Help telephones were installed on either ends of the bridge and security cameras as a preventative measure a few years ago. You can snatch a great view of Van Stadens bridge (concrete arch bridge over the Van Stadens River on the N2) from one of the look out points. 2. Van Stadens Bridge west of Port Elizabeth. Gama, PT, Adams, JB, Schael, DM and Skinner T. 2005. It carries road traffic for the N2 national highway. Suicides at Van Stadens Bridge. Where can I find old articles on this matter my cousin went off the bridge on 18 January 1994 and cant find anything on his death on the internet. Just 12 days later, a Uitenhage man jumped to his death, and its reputation as the Bridge of Death grew from there.. A R1-million video-camera surveillance system, paid for by private donors, was installed in August 2005. El puente Stadens Van en la N2 se abrió el 11 de noviembre de 1971. The use of the Narrow Gauge to transport fruit to the cooling sheds in the Port Elizabeth harbour for export-led to the popular name for the narrow gauge, namely the Apple Express. Academic disciplines Business Concepts Crime Culture Economy Education Energy Events Food and drink Geography Government Health Human behavior The world famous bridge over the Van Stadens gorge was built in 1904, and is still the highest narrow-gauge bridge in the world. The local police and pedestrians have rescued some twenty people from jumping off since that time. Apple Express Bridge. Map and Directions to Van Stadens Wild Flower Reserve. Today, 27th of December 2012 @19h30, the bridge claimed its 87th victim, a 35year old man, since it opened on November 11, 1971. Years ago when the Apple Express was still running it used to stop before the bridge and passengers could walk across and get a photograph of the train crossing with smoke billowing and steam blowing. For two years, this resulted in a decrease in the bridge’s suicide rate. The Van Stadens Bridge is a concrete arch bridge over the Van Stadens River in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. [3], Captain Anton Smit said the traumatic discovery was made by two Port Elizabeth teenagers who had gone for a walk during a picnic near the Van Stadens Wild Flower Reserve. JSTOR (January 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message), The Apple Express crossing the Van Stadens River, 6 April 2002, Basson, M. 2012. In 1880 a dam was built above the Nali waterfall in the van Stadens river and water could now reach Port Elizabeth and then in 1899 a pump station was built in the dam. Van Niekerk endangered his own life and battled for 45 minutes to stop the man from jumping. Add your article. Congratulations on this excellent venture… what a great idea! [2] Gauteng journalist, Franz Kemp, raised the funds after his daughter Inge had jumped off the bridge in 2003. The Van Stadens Bridge on the N2 was opened on November 11, 1971. Accessed 24 July 2017. [3], A police sniffer dog was called in and the body of the girl was discovered several metres further from where the other two bodies were found. Just 12 days later, a Uitenhage man jumped to his death, and its reputation as the Bridge of Death grew from there. Van Stadens River Bridge in Port Elizabeth scene of gruesome discovery of three bodies today. Just 12 days later, a Uitenhage man jumped to his death, and its reputation as the Bridge of Death grew from there. 45 No. Storms River is unusual for having inclined spandrel supports that radiate out from the main arch rib. Van Stadens Resort is located halfway between Port Elizabeth and Jeffreys Bay, only 45 minutes from Port Elizabeth International Airport. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 197.64.194.217 11:20, 20 August 2012 (UTC) That's it. Just 12 days later, a Uitenhage man jumped to his death, and its reputation as the Bridge of Death grew from there. Storms River is unusual for having inclined spandrel supports that radiate out from the main arch rib. On Thursday evening, a … Similar changes took place at several big bridges along the N2, such as Storms River, Bloukrans and Grootrivier. Similar changes took place at several big bridges along the N2, such as Storms River, Bloukrans and Grootrivier. Upper Van Stadens Dam document . A view of the N2 Van Stadens bridge from the bottom of the gorge. Share this article: Share Tweet Share Share Share Email Share. Van Stadens Resort is located halfway between Port Elizabeth and Jeffreys Bay, only 45 minutes from Port Elizabeth International Airport. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. Thornhill police rushed to Van Stadens Bridge after a woman was spotted on a closed circuit camera sitting next to a Lifeline sign board early yesterday morning. It carries road traffic for the N2 national highway. The construction of the Van Stadens Road Bridge was completed in 11 November 1971. In 1868 a massive flood washed away major sections of the pass and bridge, resulting in a complete rebuild. Accessed 26 July 2017. Most of the resort fronts on the tranquil Van Stadens River estuary. The Van Stadens River Bridge covers a beautiful gorge called the Van Stadens River Valley and if you are a nature lover, it is well worth the effort to visit the Nature Reserve which is open each day and has walking and mountain biking trails, picnic facilities and an indigenous nursery. Van Stadens Wild Flower Reserve: Van Stadens Bridge - See 71 traveller reviews, 39 candid photos, and great deals for Port Elizabeth, South Africa, at Tripadvisor. Home Landforms by country Bodies of water by country Rivers by country Rivers of South Africa Van Stadens River. The pass through the Van Stadens River might have been a god-sent as it created a more direct route to Port Elizabeth than travelling via Uitenhage, but it was tedious. The project is located in Eastern Cape, South Africa.This structure was built using the method cantilever construction using temporary cable-stays. NEW barriers at the notorious Van Stadens bridge are already saving lives by making it harder for people to kill themselves, the organisation which spearheaded the project says. Railway bridge over the Van Stadens Gorge [Transnet LS_08_001_141] First vehicles. Would you like Wikipedia to always look as professional and up-to-date? The bridge is also known for the beautiful beach and river that it crosses, and which draw holiday makers to the region. When I looked down I saw his body ly­ing there. Search: Add your article Home Landforms by country Bodies of water by country Rivers by country Rivers of South Africa Van Stadens River. Van Stadens Wild Flower Reserve. Die brug is in 1971 geopen. They now use a million dollar video camera surveillance system which was installed in 2005. Port Elizabeth Metro Bed and Breakfast Association (PEMBBA). Similar changes took place at several big bridges along the N2, such as Storms River, Bloukrans and Grootrivier. It carries road traffic for the N2 national highway. The bridge was constructed at a cost of 20 000 pounds at the time. At the old bridge there is place to park, even some picnic facilities, where you can get great views of the old bridge, the beautiful river gorge and the towering new Van Stadens Bridge. Lleva el tráfico que viene de la carretera nacional N2. A call has gone out for 300 shofar blowers, 300 tambourine players, 300 flag bearers and 300 intercessors to participate in a prayer warfare campaign to oppose suicide jumps off Van Stadens Bridge near Port Elizabeth where 84 people have jumped to their death since 1971. Accommodation near Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve . NG15 No 145 crossing the Van Stadens Bridge The source code for the WIKI 2 extension is being checked by specialists of the Mozilla Foundation, Google, and Apple. See link. The Van Stadens bridge near Port Elizabeth, infamous for suicides, has claimed its 65th victim, Eastern Cape police said on Friday. Van Stadens Pass (R102). The Van Stadens Bridge is a concrete arch bridge over the Van Stadens River. The Van Stadens Bridge is a concrete arch bridge over the Van Stadens River in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. To install click the Add extension button. The old R102 bridge is visible in the foreground. Van Staden's bridge victim 'did not jump' Sep 7, 2006. Gauteng journalist, Franz Kemp, raised the funds after his daughter Inge had jumped off the bridge in 2003. Date of experience: August 2015. Accessed 24 July 2017. Man dies at Van Stadens bridge. Please note that use of the area is at your own risk. In 1868 a massive flood washed away major sections of the pass and bridge, resulting in a complete rebuild. The Van Stadens Bridge has a reputation as the Bridge of Death. Thank Katrina_56Sojourner . Family asked for his name to be withheld. There was also a note indicating that there was another body somewhere among the bushes. About 1pm on Au­gust 8 2009 Han­sie Briel, who was 20, jumped off the no­to­ri­ous Van Stadens Bridge. ★ Van Stadens River - rivers of south africa .. Add an external link to your content for free. The N2 and Van Stadens Bridge. The bodies were not found in one place, suggesting that one of the children might have panicked and tried to flee after the first victim went over the side. The Van Stadens Dam. When the N2 was rebuilt and improved, a new bridge was built which would span the Van Stadens River gorge and in the process completely remove all aspects of a mountain pass. Today it is a famous tourist attraction in the area and is photographed for its narrow railway and height. The Van Stadens Bridge has a reputation as the Bridge of Death. The death toll from suicides off the bridge is … November 24 2008 -- The Daily Dispatch newspaper reports from South Africa that the majestic, 71-year-old Van Stadens Bridge outside the Indian-ocean harbour city … [citation needed], One such dramatic rescue took place when a man from Humansdorp wanted to commit suicide from the bridge but was stopped just in time by Freddie van Niekerk, who had just walked past him and said he "felt a sudden chill, as if God was speaking to me" and grabbed the man. Today the deck arch bridge stands at 140m above the valley floor, contains 1 112m3 of concrete and 574 tons of steel. [1], A R1-million video-camera surveillance system, paid for by private donors, was installed in August 2005. This spindly-looking steel bridge being 156m long, 77m high and containing 1 112 cubic metres of concrete and 574 tons of steel is along the longest 2ft (610mm) narrow-gauge railway line in the world. It is also very emotional as so many people used it to commit suicide. THE Van Stadens Bridge near Uiten­hage, Eastern Cape is not only one of South Africa ’ s three high­est bridges on the same na­tional high­way, it also has a rep­u­ta­tion as the “Bridge of Death ” be­cause of the large num­ber of sui­cides that have hap­pened there. Gauteng journalist, Franz Kemp, raised the funds after his daughter Inge had jumped off the bridge in 2003. Van Staden’s Railway Bridge. The Van Stadens Bridge on the N2 was opened on November 11, 1971. Van Stadens Bridge west of Port Elizabeth. During July 1902, a successful negotiation of Van Stadens Pass was made by the first motor car in Port Elizabeth, a 4.5 hp Benz owned by W. Alcock, a future mayor of Walmer. Construction on the bridge was completed in 1905 with it being 156m long, 77m high and containing 1 112 cubic metres of concrete and 574 tons of steel. Bridge of many suicides. Completed in 1956, the Ricardo Morandi designed bridge was built 15 years prior to Van Stadens and 28 years before the 3 Bloukrans-area arches came along in 1984. Piecing together the events leading to the tragedy, police came to the conclusion that the man must have thrown the two children over the side, sending them plummeting to the rocky floor of the gorge, before jumping himself. The approach supports are also inclined in the opposite direction - balancing out the profile of the entire bridge. For two years, this resulted in a decrease in the bridge’s suicide rate. The Van Stadens Bridge on the N2 was opened on November 11, 1971. In collaboration with the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL), the Friends of the Van Stadens Bridge Trust spearheaded the construction of the R10-million barrier. It has reportedly helped to rescue over 20 people from jumping. This scenic return path has some spectacular views across the gorge and the rock strata as it winds its way to the Van Stadens bridge which was built in 1971. In collaboration with the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL), the Friends of the Van Stadens Bridge Trust spearheaded the construction of the R10-million barrier. The taxi driver had dozed off causing the taxi to… The 2007 floods put the Outeniqua Choe Tjoe off its rails, but we remain optimistic that some day soon operations will resume on this historic route, and that the historic steam train will transport visitors over the Kaaimans Bridge once again. The Van Stadens Bridge is a concrete arch bridge over the Van Stadens River in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.It carries road traffic for the N2 national highway.. Suicides at Van Stadens Bridge. Van Stadens Bridge has earned itself quite a reputation for being one of the world's most frequented suicide spots. It is a great sight to visit. Van Stadens Bridge Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa 417 feet high / 127 meters high 650 foot span / 198 meter span 1971 Image by Bob Cortright. The Van Stadens Wild Flower Reserve situated upstream and this nature conservancy has kept the level of nutrient input low. The Van Stadens River estuary is 0.52 km2 when the river mouth is closed and the water level is at maximum height. "The PE-Avontuur Narrow Gauge Line– A brief history. When the N2 was rebuilt and improved, a new bridge was built which would span the Van Stadens River gorge and in the process completely remove all aspects of a mountain pass. Ask Katrina_56Sojourner about Van Stadens Wild Flower Reserve. What a delight it was to see that after several years of being closed to traffic the pass was open again. Construction on the bridge was completed in 1905 with it being 156m long, 77m high and containing 1 112 cubic metres of concrete and 574 tons of steel. Victims of the Van Stadens Bridge. Over time the pass was modified and tarred in the 1950's. The Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve is a 600 hectare flower wonderland just 40km from Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape. Mountain Passes South Africa. The first concrete bridge over the Van Stadens River Bridge over the gorge. It stands at 77 meters (253 ft) above the water. With its narrow single lane roads, the speed through this pass was a function of the slowest vehicle. Accessed 24 July 2017. An impressive new bridge was built over the gorge, other bridges along the N2 such as the Storms River, Bloukrans and Groot Rivier, received similar attention. Die Van Stadensrivierbrug is die tweede oudste van die boogbrûe op die N2.Die brug span oor die Van Stadensrivier in die Oos-Kaap, Suid-Afrika.Die brug is tussen Jeffreysbaai en Port Elizabeth.Die brug is 350 m lank en 125 m hoog terwyl die pad oor die brug vier bane het. Friends of Van Stadens Bridge Trust members Pieter Spies (left) and Cliff Rose (right) and Francie de Waal of Thornhill Police Station at a meeting in PE today where it was announced that a steel barrier will be erected at Van Stadens bridge to deter suicide jumps. Details can be obtained on this link. One of these is the highest narrow gauge railway bridge in the world spanning the Van Stadens Gorge outside Port Elizabeth. [citation needed], The Thornhill police department, which has a specialist-counselling team on hand for the bereaved relatives of these suicides, retrieved the crushed bodies of an unnamed little girl, an older boy, and a man on whom they found a suicide note. Soon afterwards, the body of the man was found a few metres away. Family asked for his name to be withheld. Escape from the city but have the convenience of Bay West Mall and a selection of shops and restaurants in a scenic 20-minute radius. The number of lives lost for 2012 stands at 5. “We were at the church camp­ing site at Van Stadens that Satur­day when I got a text mes­sage from him that he could not go on any­more,” Jo­hann Briel said. Just upstream of the N2 bridge, the 60 cm (2 ft) gauge Avontuur Railway crosses the Van Stadens River over a 78 m (255 ft) high bridge. It was tarred between 1950 and 1953. One of two bodies found at the bottom of Van Staden's bridge in the Eastern Cape has been identified, Uitenhage police said on Thursday. Excellent views can also be seen of the Ladies Slipper, the river gorge and the famous Van Stadens Bridge, for many years the longest span in the southern hemisphere. 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