Accident on a Covered Bridge

There are rumors that the VanSant Covered Bridge, built 1875 in Upper Makefield, is haunted. The story goes that a young woman killed her child and then herself on the bridge. Her cries are allegedly still heard at night. There are also legends of hanging convicted horse thieves from the bridge.

Unfortunately, there's no evidence that any of this ever happened. However, there was a death that occurred in 1918 as the result of an accident on the bridge.

March 28, 1918 Trenton Times

Man Killed Under Engine in Creek

    Lambertville, March 28 [1918] - Weight of a traction engine driven over the old covered Bridge over Pidcock Creek about three miles from here, caused that structure to give away yesterday, resulting in the death of Charles Fitzgerald, driver of the machine. The large engine landed on its side at the bottom of the stream, pinning Fitzgerald beneath it. Several men labored about one hour before they succeeded in recovering the body when it was found by physicians that the victim had sustained a broken neck.

    Edward C. Lewis, of near here, was on the engine at the time but jumped from his seat when he found the structure breaking and escaped injury. The water in the stream is about five feet deep and the machine has not yet been extricated.

    Fitzgerald lived in New Hope. He was 38 years old and survived by his wife and four children. The body was removed to his home. Funeral arrangements have not been completed. Undertaker Moonan, of this city, is in charge.

VanSant Covered Bridge

Bridge Plan

VanSant Covered Bridge

A months later we see that someone was awarded the contract for removing the tractor from the creek.

If anyone is haunting the bridge, it's Charles Fitzgerald.