A tragic incident occurred on September 15, 2001, when a tugboat collided with a piling supporting the Queen Isabella Causeway. The impact caused two top sections of the bridge to collapse, resulting in a gap that was not visible to drivers until it was too late. This led to 10 vehicles plunging into the water, and eight people lost their lives.

The causeway's collapse severed the only access route to and from the island, prompting a temporary ferry service using fishing and dolphin-watching boats. Repairs were expedited, but the causeway remained unusable until late November.

Further details about this incident and its aftermath are available from the source.