Local

Memorial held in honor of Marines who died in crane collapse

SEATTLE — A group of local Marines are honoring two fellow Marines who died in April's crane collapse in Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood.

Ironworkers Travis Corbet and Andrew Yoder were killed when the tower crane they were dismantling collapsed onto Mercer Street

“The fact that they both died together, brothers in arms, that really touched my heart,” said Jim “Gunner” Curtis.

Curtis organized Sunday’s memorial march. He also created a makeshift veterans memorial in front of North Bend's City Hall to honor the men who were also both Marine Corps veterans.

Scroll down to continue reading

More news from KIRO 7

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP 

Yoder, who lived in North Bend, was just 31 years old. He left behind a wife, and two young children.

Corbet was 33 years old. He was a newlywed and lived in Oregon.

“Once a Marine, always a Marine. We are here to support their families and do what we can to continue to let the public know that Marines continue to sacrifice wherever they are, whatever they're doing,” said Ed Doyne, president of the Marine Corps Support Group of Washington.

He, Curtis, and others took to the streets from city hall and marched into town. With each step, they honored the lives of their fallen brothers.

“It’s the blue collar working man and women, they really make this country run. Hell, that means something. It really does,” Curtis added.

The crane collapse also killed two other people. Sarah Wong, 19, and Alan Justad, 71, were in separate cars when the crane crashed down.