Has anyone ever died on Bridge Day?

There have been three deaths during Bridge Day due to accidents involving BASE jumpers. Bungee jumping off the New River Gorge Bridge was tried a couple of time during Bridge Day festivities (1993 and 1995). Injuries sustained during a mass bungee jump in 1995 prompted the banning of bungee jumping at Bridge Day.

Has anyone ever died at Bridge Day WV?

MELISSA BLOCK, host: Over the weekend there was a tragedy at the annual Bridge Day Jump off West Virginia’s New River Gorge Bridge. A pioneer of the extreme sport called base-jumping died when his parachute didn’t fully open during his jump, 876 feet off the bridge.

What is the purpose of Bridge Day?

Every third Saturday in October, thousands of people gather on the New River Gorge Bridge in Fayetteville, West Virginia to watch daredevils BASE jump into the Gorge below.

How many people have died jumping off New River Gorge Bridge?

There have been four known BASE-jumper fatalities at the bridge — one each in 1983, 1986, 1987, and 2006. The 1986 fatality was an illegal jump not associated with Bridge Day.

Can you bungee jump off the New River Gorge Bridge?

Can you bungee jump off the New River Gorge Bridge? Bungee jumping is not allowed but you can base jump and rappel! Bungee jumping has been deemed unsafe for participants, but the thrill of base jumping and rappelling make up for it.

How high is the New River Gorge Bridge?

267 m
New River Gorge Bridge/Clearance below

With a height of 876 feet above the waters of the New River (topping the Washington Monument by 325 feet), the bridge is the highest east of the Mississippi and second-highest in the nation only to Colorado’s Royal Gorge Bridge over the Arkansas River.

Can you walk the New River Gorge Bridge?

Bridge Walk offers guided tours of the New River Gorge Bridge from the catwalk 25′ beneath the Bridge. The tours are 2-3 hours in length. The Bridge Walk guests walk the entire 3,030 foot length of the Bridge and then are shuttled back to the Bridge Walk headquarters.

Why is the new river called the River of Death?

Name Origin Accounts claim that Indians referred to the New River as the “river of death,” however this origin story is likely legend. Native Americans and early European settlers regarded the New and Kanawha rivers as being one single waterway.

How much does it cost to jump off the New River Gorge Bridge?

Although base jumping and rappelling are permitted, not just anyone can take a leap of faith off of the New River Gorge with a parachute. Base jumping off of the New River Gorge requires prior experience and fees. Jump passes cost $75.00 and registration begins July 1st.

What is the longest arch bridge in the United States?

the New River Gorge Bridge’s
At time of construction, the New River Gorge Bridge’s arch made it the longest steel arch bridge in the world, a title it held until 2003 with the construction of China’s Shanghai’s Lupu Bridge. It is currently the longest single-span steel arch bridge in the United States and the third highest bridge in the country.

When is bridge day at New River Gorge?

Bridge Day is an annual one-day event held on the third Saturday every October to commemorate the 1977 completion of the New River Gorge Bridge. Organizers went back 100 years to get the best foliage day and weather day. US Route 19 is generally closed from 7 am until 5 pm on Bridge Day.

How many people have died at the New River Gorge Bridge?

Four BASE jumpers have died at the bridge, three of these during Bridge Day festivals. Probably because of its height (and lack of barriers), the bridge has regularly attracted suicide jumpers. The West Virginia state quarter, released in 2005, features the New River Gorge Bridge.

When is Bridge Day in Fayette County WV?

Held annually every third Saturday in October on the New River Gorge Bridge in Fayette County, West Virginia, this is the only day each year thousands of spectators can walk across the bridge and watch as serious BASE jumpers get their chance to fly 876 feet into the Gorge below and rappellers ascend and descend from the catwalk.

What city is New River Gorge in?

The New River Gorge Bridge is a steel arch bridge 3,030 feet (924 m) long over the New River Gorge near Fayetteville, West Virginia, in the Appalachian Mountains of the eastern United States.