A fatal accident happened on the Blantyre Suspension Bridge on Saturday 21st July 1900.

Several young men were on their way home, crossing from the Bothwell side back to Blantyre that evening and began larking about on the bridge. One of them, Robert Foy (19), in a playful frolic put his legs over the side of the railings and made a jovial remark to the others. His brother caught him by the collar of the jacket, which came off and Robert’s whole body slipped out, away off the bridge to the water some 20 feet below.

The night being dark, no trace was to be found and authorities were quickly fetched. The body was missing for some time.