When David Copperfield made the Statue of Liberty disappear way back in 1983, it was nothing more than an elaborate illusion perpetrated by a man at the height of his game. However, when a group of thieves dismantled and drove away with a 10-ton bridge in the Czech Republic, it was for real. Strange and a little hard to believe, mind you, but 100% real. Once again, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if a Hollywood studio is preparing a big-budget version of this extremely peculiar tale.
How in the world does one make off with an entire bridge without anyone being any the wiser? According to various reports, it wasn’t as difficult as one might initially believe.
Constructed in 1901, the old bridge was taken apart in broad daylight by a so-called “train gang” armed with cranes, trucks, and all sorts of forged paperwork. When authorities dropped by to see what in the world was going on, the thieves presented the paperwork, which, apparently, were believable enough for the police to look the other way. According to the documentation, the group had been contracted by the railway service to dismantle the bridge to make way for a new cycle route. Like story, right? Actually, not so much.
Roughtly 650 feet of track was stolen by the gang, amounting to millions of dollars in damage. According to a spokesperson for the police force in Karlovy Vary, the pieces of the bridge will probably be sold as scrap metal. No word on who organized the operation or where, precisely, these individuals may have disappeared to. My advice: Keep your eyes peeled for a 10-ton bridge lounging around in someone’s backyard.
I foresee a terrible Ben Stiller comedy in the near future.
Can be a superb black comedy. 10-tonne bridge stolen in Czech Republic http://t.co/VzzRnESb
Czech metal thieves have dismantled and stolen an entire railway bridge. I thought metal theft was bad here! http://t.co/ZY43byGo
10 ton bridge stolen in Czech Rep.
Please call nearest police if you have seen a bridge at unusual place with train on it.