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Aug 1, 2009 6:47 pm US/Central
Documentary Screened For Bridge Collapse Survivors
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
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Daniel Kenney's story is actually the story of a whole community. It shows how victims, rescuers and ordinary people came together one day in August, 2007.
Integrity Pictures
Two years ago Saturday, the Intestate 35W bridge collapsed into the Mississippi killing 13 people and injuring 145. It's a day many Minnesotans will never forget.
At the victims and their families' request, there was no public memorial this year to commemorate when the bridge collapsed. Instead, Minnesotans were asked to observe a moment of silence at 6:05 p.m., when the bridge fell.
Some close to the tragedy got together Saturday morning to share yet another experience that strengthens their bond. They were invited to a special screening by documentary filmmaker Daniel Kenney.
"I thought, 'I got to do something. I got to do a story about this,'" said Kenney.
Kenney's story is actually the story of a whole community. It shows how victims, rescuers and ordinary people came together one day in August, 2007. He wove together audio interviews with pictures from a Minnesota Daily photographer.
Kenney showed the rough cut of the documentary to bridge survivors, victims' families and others close to the tragedy on this second anniversary of the collapse.
Andy Gannon is one of two survivors who shared their stories for the film. He said living through that day again with the film was OK, though the trauma is still with him.
"I think it's easier and easier each year, at least for me. I do know that when driving here. I had a moment ... I had a moment that was tough," said Gannon.
But, it also eases the pain to see other survivors again.
"It was just kind of a warm feeling; it's like you're part of family that you never knew you would be part of. It's really great to hear these people and how well they're doing now," he added.
For the Hausmann family, the documentary has another meaning. It helped to bring closure and pay tribute to the husband and father they lost.
"This really helps to heal and to see where their dad really went. Now we don't have just a grave to go to. We have a memory of what happened of the bridge," said Helen Hausmann, Peter Hausmann's widow.
Kenney hopes to interview more survivors to finish his documentary and some came forward after seeing the work-in-progress Saturday.
If it makes money one day, he plans on donating half of the proceeds to the survivors.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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