Pittsburgh – A bridge collapsed in the early hours of Friday resulting in 10 people being injured. The bridge collapse happened hours before president Biden was scheduled to visit the city to engage in talks about infrastructure.
The Pittsburgh public safety stated a “confirmed bridge collapse” approximately at 6:50 am. According to the authorities, countless vehicles including a port authority bus could be seen straddled on the Fern Hollow bridge which is located near Braddock and Forbes avenues.
Another gruesome photograph showed a separate vehicle loosely dangling from the edge of the collapsed bridge near the Frick Park connecting with Regent Square, Point Breeze, and Squirrel Hill areas of Pittsburgh.
The Pittsburgh Bureau of fire chief, Darryl Jones stated that three people were taken to the hospital but none of the injuries that succumbed were life-threatening in a news conference.
“The good thing at this point is that there are no fatalities, and we’re going to pray there are no fatalities,” Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey (D) told reporters. “We were fortunate.”
Gainey further added that the first responders to the incident are investigating the situation closely in order to make sure that nobody is trapped under the collapsed bridge to avoid any further casualties.
The cause of the collapse is also being investigated. The mayor told the reporters that the bridge was built back in 1970 and the last inspection was conducted in September 2021.
“We are extremely thankful that no one from the bus reported any injuries and grateful for the first responders who risked their own lives to save others,” Brandolph said.
The red cross has started to assist the injured and a salvation army was specially curated to help the first responders.
It is very unfortunate that the bridge collapse happened on the same day president Biden was scheduled to visit Pittsburgh to discuss the situation of infrastructure in the city.
The president is scheduled to visit the development and research hub of mill 19 – a part of the infrastructure deal that Congress passed last year.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden “is grateful to the first responders who rushed to assist the drivers who were on the bridge at the time.”
“The President will proceed with the trip planned for today and will stay in touch with officials on the ground about additional assistance we can provide,” she tweeted.
