Ten Years On: Looking Back on the Day Laxey’s Bridge Collapsed

Today marks ten years since one of the most alarming and unforgettable incidents in recent Manx history, the collapse of Old Laxey Bridge during the severe flooding of December 3, 2015.

When Storm Desmond swept across the Isle of Man, it brought torrential rain, landslides and widespread damage. Laxey was among the hardest hit.

As water levels surged along Glen Road, the historic 200-year-old bridge gave way beneath a school bus, sending the double-decker into the swollen river below.

It was a moment that shocked the island.

Images of the partially submerged bus dominated news coverage and quickly spread beyond the Isle of Man, prompting genuine fear for what might have happened.

Remarkably, and thankfully, nobody was harmed.

The bus driver managed to escape before the vehicle fell, and no children were on board at the time.

But for many in the community, the sight of the wreckage and the knowledge of how close the incident came to tragedy left a lasting impact.

The floods caused widespread damage across Laxey and further afield, with homes and businesses affected and emergency services stretched to their limits.

In Douglas, the National Sports Centre sustained extensive water damage, while other areas saw roads and infrastructure overwhelmed.

For Laxey residents, it wasn’t the last major flood either.

In 2019, the village suffered again when heavy rainfall triggered another major incident, leaving parts of Glen Road severely damaged and some residents temporarily trapped.

Some will remember it more vividly than others, but the photographs speak for themselves of the seriousness of the situation.