Some commuters and first responders were injured when a snow-covered bridge collapsed in Pittsburgh, prompting people to form a human chain to help rescue people from a dangling bus.
The collapse occurred just before US President Joe Biden’s scheduled visit to the Pennsylvania city to promote his infrastructure plan
According to Pittsburgh Fire Service officials, a few vehicles were on the two-lane commuter bridge, which spans over a creek in Frick Park, when it collapsed Friday morning. Ten people suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and three were transported to nearby hospitals.
Images from the scene show a bus atop a section of the bridge that fell and sloped upward at a near 45-degree angle. Officials said only two people were aboard the bus at the time.
First responders trying to help in the icy conditions were among the injured, Jones said. Responders rappelled down about 150 feet to reach the collapse site, as others formed a human chain, the Associated Press reported.
“Red Cross has been contacted for victim assistance,” the Pittsburgh Public Safety Department tweeted.
A strong natural gas odour was detected after the collapse, and a gas line has since been cut, authorities said. Residents were evacuated from their homes and strongly advised to avoid the area.
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The cause of the collapse is under investigation.
US Press Secretary Jen Psaki has said that Biden has been made aware of the collapse and “is grateful to the first responders who rushed to assist the drivers who were on the bridge at the time.”
“Red Cross has been contacted for victim assistance,” the Pittsburgh Public Safety Department tweeted.
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