The Bridge
The Morning of May 9, 1980
It was a stormy Friday morning on May 9, 1980. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge stood tall over Tampa Bay, its massive structure connecting lives and destinations. But that day, tragedy struck. The cargo ship Summit Venture, blinded by the fierce thunderstorm, collided with one of the bridge’s support beams. A large section of the bridge collapsed into the waters below, leaving an invisible void in what once seemed an unshakable path.
Among those traveling southbound that morning were two individuals who had never met: Chip Callaway and Greta Hedquist. They sat quietly on the Greyhound bus heading toward their respective destinations, unaware that their lives were about to converge in eternity.
Two Lives Worlds Apart
Chip Callaway was a 20-year-old college student with his whole life ahead of him. An exceptional tennis player and a dedicated scholar, he had dreams as vast as the open sky. His youthful energy and ambition made him a beacon of promise to those who knew him. That morning, he was simply traveling to visit friends for the weekend—a routine trip filled with plans for laughter and camaraderie.
Greta Hedquist, on the other hand, was 92 years old and nearing the twilight of her earthly journey. Born in Sweden and having lived through decades of history—two world wars, economic depressions, and countless personal trials—she carried herself with quiet dignity despite her advanced arthritis. She was planning what she believed would be her final trip back to Sweden to say goodbye to her homeland.
Though they shared space on the same bus that day, Chip and Greta could not have been more different: separated by generations, experiences, interests, and dreams. Yet fate had placed them together for this moment.
The Collapse
As the Greyhound bus approached the Sunshine Skyway Bridge under gray skies heavy with rain, neither Chip nor Greta could see what lay ahead—the gaping void where part of the bridge had fallen into Tampa Bay just moments earlier. The storm obscured visibility so completely that drivers unknowingly continued forward toward disaster.
The bus plunged 150 feet into the bay below along with several cars and a truck. In total, 35 lives were lost that morning—including Chip Callaway and Greta Hedquist.
Stepping Into Eternity Together
In an instant, two souls from vastly different walks of life stepped into eternity together. Chip’s youthful vigor and Greta’s seasoned wisdom both came face-to-face with what lies beyond this earthly existence: eternity itself.
For many people today—and perhaps even for Chip and Greta before this moment—the idea of eternity is often ignored or misunderstood until it becomes unavoidable. Life is fragile; death is certain; but what comes after? The Bible reminds us in Hebrews 9:27: “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this comes judgment.” There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end, it leads to death (Proverbs 16:25).
Jesus Christ: The Span in the Bridge
The collapse of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge serves as a poignant metaphor for humanity’s spiritual condition. Just as there was no way for travelers to cross Tampa Bay without that missing span in the bridge on May 9th, there is no way for humanity to reach Heaven without Jesus Christ bridging the gap between sinful man and a holy God.
Jesus Himself declared in John 14:6: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Without Him acting as our “bridge,” we are left stranded—unable to reach God because our sin separates us from Him (Romans 3:23). But through His sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection from death (1 Peter 3:18), Jesus became that missing span—the only way across.
Chip Callaway’s promising future could not save him from death; Greta Hedquist’s long life filled with experiences could not earn her passage into Heaven either. Both needed Jesus Christ as their Savior—just as we all do—to step into eternal life rather than eternal separation from God.
A Reflection for Us All
The story of Chip Callaway and Greta Hedquist reminds us that death does not discriminate based on age or circumstance—it comes for everyone eventually (Ecclesiastes 3:2). What matters most is whether we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior during our time here on Earth. There is no middle ground, and the choice is made in this life.
Their tragic deaths also serve as an invitation for reflection: Are you prepared for eternity? Have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ—the only bridge capable of spanning the chasm between sinfulness and salvation?
One second after we die, we will either experience unimaginable joy in Heaven or unrelenting regret apart from God forever (Luke 16:22-26). Like Chip and Greta stepping into eternity together on May 9th, each one of us has an appointment we cannot avoid—but we can choose where it will lead by accepting God’s gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Let their story inspire you today to consider your own eternal destination—and remember that Jesus stands ready to be your bridge if you will trust Him.
The Morning of May 9, 1980
It was a stormy Friday morning on May 9, 1980. The Sunshine Skyway Bridge stood tall over Tampa Bay, its massive structure connecting lives and destinations. But that day, tragedy struck. The cargo ship Summit Venture, blinded by the fierce thunderstorm, collided with one of the bridge’s support beams. A large section of the bridge collapsed into the waters below, leaving an invisible void in what once seemed an unshakable path. The thunderstorm was so severe motorists couldn’t see that the large bridge section had collapsed.