Stuff You Should Know The Hyatt Regency Skywalk Disaster
Sep 14, 2023
In 1981, a tragic structural collapse at a hotel in Kansas City led to the worst accidental disaster of its kind in U.S. history. Eyewitness accounts detail the horrifying moment of the skywalk's failure and the chaos that ensued. Heroic rescue efforts from firefighters are highlighted, showcasing community solidarity. The investigation that followed revealed critical engineering negligence and oversights that contributed to the collapse, prompting major changes in safety protocols for the future. The emotional impact on survivors and the community remains profound.
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Hyatt Regency Disaster
- The Hyatt Regency Hotel tea dance collapse in 1981 killed 114 and injured over 200.
- Eyewitnesses described loud popping noises before the walkways fell.
Survival Stories and Loss
- Survivor Mark Williams was trapped until 4:30 a.m. after the 7 p.m. collapse.
- Oscar Grimm saved his wife Joan by pushing her out of the way, sacrificing himself.
Fatal Design Flaw
- A design change, seemingly minor, doubled the load on the fourth-floor walkway.
- This change, approved without proper calculations, directly caused the collapse.