11 people were injured on Saturday after a platform leading to the historic Doubling Point Lighthouse in Maine collapsed, during the state’s annual ‘Maine Open Lighthouse Day‘ to encourage tourism to lighthouses. ‘Maine Open Lighthouse Day‘ is an annual celebration sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard during which tourists are encouraged to visit dozens of historic lighthouses throughout the state.
According to a statement from Bath Deputy Fire Chief Chris Cummings, visitors to the Doubling Point Lighthouse fell into the rocks and mudflats on the river’s shoreline after the last portion of the ramp that went to the lighthouse had collapsed. Five people were taken to local hospitals and another six were treated at the scene, but none of the injuries were life threatening. The lighthouse’s website states it’s closed to visitors until further notice.
According to the American Lighthouse Foundation, the Doubling Point Lighthouse is an active lighthouse used to help aid the Coast Guard. According to the lighthouse website, the government bought the plot of land on which the lighthouse sits in Arrowsic, in 1896 after an annual report urged a need for fog lights along the Kennebec River: “In 1899 the lighthouse was moved from its original foundation to its present location at the end of a long catwalk that extends through the marsh and into the Kennebec River.”
The Associated Press reported that ‘The Friends of Doubling Point Light’ (which manages the lighthouse) said there is no timeframe to repair platform’s repair. That organization had raised $50,000 to rebuild the lighthouse’s foundation back in 2001, which included a rebuild of the walkway to the lighthouse and a new coat of paint.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/11-hurt-walkway-collapses-maine-open-lighthouse-event-103066056
Editorial credit: E.J.Johnson Photography / Shutterstock.com
