A wooden walkway at the historic Doubling Point Lighthouse in Arrowsic, Maine collapsed this morning, injuring 11 visitors during the state's popular annual Open Lighthouse Day event.
According to The Boston Globe, the victims tumbled into mudflats below the walkway, which was part of a long wooden bridge leading to the lighthouse. Bath Fire Department Deputy Chief Chris Cummings reported that five of the 11 injured people were promptly taken to nearby hospitals. The collapse, which took place at low tide, caused some victims to fall as far as ten feet, landing on a somewhat rocky mudflat below.
Tasked with illuminating the Kennebec River since the late 19th century, Doubling Point Lighthouse remains an active Coast Guard aid to navigation despite its comparatively modest tower height of 23 feet, as per PBS. The quiet town of Arrowsic, home to just 450 residents, sits roughly 40 miles up the coast from Portland, the state's largest city.
As Maine Open Lighthouse Day aims to foster appreciation for the region's scenic lighthouses, groups such as the Friends of Doubling Point Light work diligently to preserve and maintain them. Karen McLean, a member of the Friends of Doubling Point Light, said the group hopes to repair the lighthouse, but a timeframe has yet to be established. In light of the tragic event, the organization's website has updated its message, noting that the lighthouse is "closed to visitors until further notice", as reported by ABC News..
