During the morning commute, a bridge collapsed in Pittsburgh, affecting a city bus multiple cars, with at least ten people injured and three hospitalized just hours before Biden’s visit to discuss America’s woeful infrastructure.
Pittsburgh bridge collapses hours before Biden visit on infrastructure
Underscoring the dreadful state of America’s infrastructure, only hours before president Joe Biden was scheduled to visit the area and discuss infrastructure, a bridge in Pittsburgh collapsed, causing multiple injuries.
In a scene that resembled something out of a disaster movie, PennLive posted photos of the scene showing a city bus clinging to part of the snow-covered bridge that hadn’t fully collapsed to the ground. Other images showed vehicles tipped over.
People formed a human chain to rescue others, PennLive reported.
The bridge is in the city’s Point Breeze section near the Forbes and Braddock avenues.
Three people were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, The Hill reported, stating that officials continue to search under the bridge to ensure no other victims.
Ten people were treated for minor injuries, WTAE reported.
Multiple police, fire crews, and EMS responded. NBC reported that some of the injured were first responders who slipped and fell, with fire crews needing to repel about 100 feet to assist people.
A bridge near the city’s famous Frick Park collapsed, KDKA-TV reported.
The Pittsburgh Public Safety Department issued an update on Twitter stating a gas line had been cut and urging people to stay out of the area. The Red Cross had been contacted for victim assistance.
Biden to proceed with infrastructure visit to Pittsburgh
Following reports of the bridge collapsing, the White House stated that President Joe Biden would proceed with the trip to the area as planned. Biden will visit West Mifflin, 10 miles outside of Pittsburgh.
“.@POTUS has been told of the bridge collapse in Pittsburgh. Our team is in touch with state and local officials on the ground as they continue to gather information about the cause of the collapse,” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a tweet.
“[The president] is grateful to the first responders who rushed to assist the drivers who were on the bridge at the time,” Psaki added.
Psaki said the White House “will stay in touch with officials on the ground about additional assistance we can provide.”
