Topline
Three people have been hospitalized and seven others reported minor injuries after a two-lane bridge in Pittsburgh collapsed Friday morning, Pittsburgh authorities said, just hours before President Joe Biden’s planned visit to the city to talk about infrastructure.
Key Facts
Pittsburgh Fire Chief Darryl Jones said, 10 people sustained “non-life-threatening” injuries, three of whom have been hospitalized, and there were no fatalities as of Friday morning.
Among the people injured are fire responders who were on the scene responding to the accident in icy conditions, Jones said.
Pittsburgh Public Safety confirmed the collapse at 6:50 a.m., and the cause of the accident is still under investigation.
The accident involved “three or four” vehicles and a Port Authority bus that “went over,” Jones said.
Fire crew, emergency medical services and police are on the scene making sure no victims are left under the bridge, Jones said.
Authorities said there is a “strong smell of natural gas” on the site, and advised residents to avoid the area, while a gas line has been cut off.
Tangent
A human chain was formed to help rescue people out of the bus as rescuers rappelled nearly 150 feet to reach the site of the collapse, the Associated Press reported.
Key Background
The collapse came hours before Biden’s scheduled travel to Pittsburgh. It would be his second visit to the city as president. During his last visit in March 2021, Biden unveiled the $1 trillion infrastructure plan that was signed into law in November. Biden has been informed about the collapse and will proceed with his visit as planned, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said.
Further Reading
Human chain formed to help after Pittsburgh bridge collapse (Associated Press)
Frick Park Bridge Collapse: 10 Minor Injuries Reported, 3 People Taken To Hospital (KDKA-TV)
