Horror as pensioner falls to his death after being caught on drawbridge as it opened

An 80-year-old American man has fallen to his death after he was caught on a drawbridge as it was opened. Witnesses watched in horror as Desmond Nolan clung desperately to the side of the bridge as it was lifted into the air.

They screamed for him to hang on - but eventually he lost his grip and fell 60ft on to the concrete below. He had been trying to cross the bridge in Hollywood, Florida, by foot when the tragic accident happened.

'It was heart-wrenching,' said Gigi Bordes, 34, who saw everything from her car. Bordes said she and her daughter saw the man clinging to the bridge as it lifted him up.



She flagged down a police officer, who rushed in the man's direction, she said. 'Everyone was screaming for him to hold on,' Bordes said. But it was too late.

After he fell, Mr Nolan was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead. The bridge has flashing lights and a bell that indicate when it is opening, as well as a gate to stop pedestrians and cars.

It is unclear how Mr Nolan got caught out during an afternoon walk last Sunday and his family say they want answers.