A bicyclist died when a drawbridge connecting to Palm Beach to the Florida mainland began rising before she could reach the other side.

A bystander tried to pull her to safety, but lost his grip.

The woman was walking her bicycle and was within 10 feet of the barrier arms that halt traffic when the drawbridge started to move. She tired to hang on, but she fell 5 or 6 stories and died when she landed on concrete.

There is now an investigation as to why the bridge tender began to raise the drawbridge before it was cleared of pedestrians.

The bridge is equipped with bells and whistles to alert drivers and pedestrians that the drawbridge is going up.

The bridge was closed for more than six hours after the accident.