Stuff You Should Know – The Hyatt Regency Skywalk Disaster

Intro

In this episode of “Stuff You Should Know,” Josh and Chuck discuss the tragic Hyatt Regency Skywalk Disaster that occurred in Kansas City, Missouri in 1981. The collapse of the hotel’s skywalks during a tea dance led to the death of over 100 people and left hundreds more injured. The hosts delve into the causes of the disaster, the aftermath, and the impact it had on the city and the hotel industry.

Main Takeaways

Design Flaws and Collapse

• The Hyatt Regency in Kansas City, Missouri collapsed in 1981, just one year after it opened.
• The collapse occurred during a popular weekend tea dance with a live band.
• The walkways on floors four and into collapsed fully due to the weight of 32-ton concrete and steel.
• Eyewitnesses describe hearing three loud popping noises or snapping noises.
• The collapse killed over 100 people and injured hundreds more.

Heroism and Rescue Efforts

• There were people who immediately sprang into action to help before emergency services arrived.
• Survivors were pinned under concrete slabs and had to wait for hours to be rescued, including Mark Williams, who was the last person rescued.
• First responders worked tirelessly to save lives, but many suffered from PTSD without proper counseling and support.

Investigation and Responsibility

• The National Bureau of Standards investigated the collapse and found that it was due to a design change that was rubber-stamped.
• The original design called for the skywalks to be held together with one group of continuous steel rods, but this was changed to two sets of rods, which doubled the weight on the fourth floor.
• The stress on the top fourth floor was different due to the design change, which caused the collapse.
• The skywalks were not designed to hold up their own weight.
• The skywalks were attached to portals that were not designed to hold them up.

Legal Fallout and Settlements

• Over 130 lawsuits were filed seeking more than $3 billion in damages.
• Settlements were reached in all cases, with some being settled right before trial.
• Hallmark, the ultimate owner of the hotel, paid out the most money to settle claims.

Summary

The Collapse and Design Flaws

The Hyatt Regency in Kansas City, Missouri, was a newly opened hotel in 1981 when tragedy struck. During a popular tea dance event, the walkways on floors four and into collapsed, resulting in the death of over 100 people and injuring hundreds more. Eyewitnesses described hearing loud popping noises before the collapse. The investigation revealed that a design change, which doubled the weight on the fourth floor, was the main cause of the disaster. The skywalks and portals were not designed to bear the weight they were carrying, leading to the catastrophic collapse.

Heroism and Rescue Efforts

In the face of the disaster, many individuals immediately stepped up to help before emergency services arrived. Survivors were trapped under concrete slabs and had to wait for hours to be rescued. The efforts of first responders were commendable, but many of them suffered from PTSD without proper counseling and support. The rescue of Mark Williams, the last person to be saved, stands as a testament to the determination and bravery displayed during the tragedy.

Legal Fallout and Settlements

The collapse of the Hyatt Regency skywalks resulted in over 130 lawsuits seeking more than $3 billion in damages. Settlements were reached in all cases, with some being settled right before trial. Hallmark, the owner of the hotel, paid out the largest sum to settle claims. The legal proceedings brought attention to the negligence and lack of oversight that contributed to the disaster.

Conclusion

The Hyatt Regency Skywalk Disaster was a catastrophic event that shook Kansas City and the hotel industry as a whole. The collapse exposed design flaws and a cascade of failures that led to the loss of over 100 lives. The tragedy brought about changes in safety regulations and engineering standards, highlighting the importance of proper oversight and accountability in construction projects. The impact of the disaster lingers, reminding us of the need for diligence and responsibility in ensuring the safety of public spaces.