Mothman and the Silver Bridge Collapse

From November 1966 to December 1967, the small town of Point Pleasant, West Virginia was terrorized by sightings of a large, winged creature with glowing red eyes. The sightings ended dramatically with the collapse of the Silver Bridge on December 15, 1967, leading to speculation that Mothman was a harbinger of disaster.

The First Sighting

November 12, 1966:

• Five men
• In cemetery
• Saw creature
• Large, man-shaped
• Wings folded

The Scarberry-Mallette Sighting

November 15, 1966:

• Two couples
• Near TNT area
• Saw creature
• Chased their car
• Reported to police

The Description

Witnesses described:

• Seven feet tall
• Wingspan 10-15 feet
• No visible head
• Eyes on chest
• Glowing red

The Eyes

Most memorable:

• Hypnotic effect
• Glowing red
• Reflective quality
• Terrifying
• Mesmerizing

The TNT Area

The location:

• WWII munitions site
• Abandoned bunkers
• Isolated area
• Wildlife preserve
• Center of activity

The Witnesses

Over thirteen months:

• Dozens of sightings
• Various witnesses
• Different locations
• Consistent description
• Town terrorized

Men in Black

Also reported:

• Strange visitors
• Intimidating witnesses
• Odd behavior
• UFO connection
• Added mystery

UFO Sightings

Concurrent reports:

• Strange lights
• Over the area
• Multiple witnesses
• Connection debated
• Pattern noted

The Silver Bridge

Eyebar suspension bridge:

• Opened 1928
• Connected Ohio-WV
• Rush hour traffic
• December 15, 1967
• 4:58 PM

The Collapse

The bridge fell:

• Into Ohio River
• 46 people died
• 31 vehicles fell
• Catastrophic failure
• Eyebar chain failed

The Connection

Mothman theorists note:

• Sightings ended after collapse
• Creature as warning
• Disaster harbinger
• Connection debated
• Coincidence or cause

John Keel

Journalist and researcher:

• Investigated extensively
• Wrote “The Mothman Prophecies”
• Documented everything
• UFO/paranormal connection
• Definitive account

The Prophecies

Keel documented:

• Strange phone calls
• Predictions made
• Mysterious contacts
• Apocalyptic warnings
• Before the disaster

Modern Sightings

Mothman reported:

• Before 9/11
• Before other disasters
• Ongoing reports
• Global sightings
• Warning pattern

The Statue

Point Pleasant erected:

• 12-foot Mothman statue
• Tourist attraction
• Annual festival
• Economic benefit
• Embracing legend

Significance

Mothman is significant for:

• Extended wave
• Multiple witnesses
• Disaster connection
• Cultural impact
• Ongoing mystery

Legacy

The Mothman legend has become one of cryptozoology’s most compelling cases. The connection to the Silver Bridge disaster, combined with ongoing sightings before other tragedies, continues to fuel speculation about this mysterious creature’s purpose.