PITTSBURGH, PA (WTAJ) – A four-lane bridge collapsed in Pittsburgh, prompting rescuers to rappel nearly 150 feet while others formed a human chain to help rescue several people from a suspended bus.
The collapse comes hours before President Joe Biden was expected to arrive in Pittsburgh to push its $1.2 trillion infrastructure plan and efforts to strengthen America’s supply chains.
The collapse occurred in the city’s Frick Park neighborhood on Friday morning before 7 a.m. Several cars and a Port Authority bus were involved. It was reported by Pittsburgh Public Safety on Twitter that a smell of natural gas was detected and asked all residents to avoid the area.
-
A Port Authority bus that was on a bridge when it collapsed Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, is seen in the East End of Pittsburgh. A two-lane bridge collapsed in Pittsburgh early Friday, prompting rescuers to rappel nearly 150 feet (46 meters) while others formed a human chain to help rescue several people from a bus suspended. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) -
Vehicles that were on a bridge when it collapsed are seen, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, in the East End of Pittsburgh. When the bridge collapsed, rescuers abseiled nearly 150 feet while others formed a human chain to help rescue several people from a suspended bus. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) -
A Port Authority bus that was on a bridge when it collapsed Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, is seen in the East End of Pittsburgh. When the bridge collapsed, rescuers abseiled nearly 150 feet while others formed a human chain to help rescue several people from the suspended bus. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) -
Emergency vehicles are parked at the edge of a collapsed bridge, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, in the East End of Pittsburgh. A two-lane bridge collapsed in Pittsburgh early Friday, prompting rescuers to rappel nearly 150 feet (46 meters) while others formed a human chain to help rescue several people from a bus suspended. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) -
Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitgerald, right, takes a photo of the scenes where a bridge collapsed, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, in the East End of Pittsburgh. A two-lane bridge collapsed in Pittsburgh early Friday, prompting rescuers to rappel nearly 150 feet (46 meters) while others formed a human chain to help rescue several people from a bus suspended. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) -
A commuter bus stands on a section of a collapsed bridge in Pittsburgh, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022. Police reported the span, on Forbes Avenue above Fern Hollow Creek in Frick Park, collapsed collapsed around 6 a.m. There were no initial reports of injuries, Pittsburgh Public Safety said on Twitter. (Greg Barnhisel via AP) -
A commuter bus stands on a section of a collapsed bridge in Pittsburgh, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022. Police reported the span, on Forbes Avenue above Fern Hollow Creek in Frick Park, collapsed collapsed around 6 a.m. There were no initial reports of injuries, Pittsburgh Public Safety said on Twitter. (Greg Barnhisel via AP) -
A commuter bus stands on a section of a collapsed bridge in Pittsburgh, Friday, Jan. 28, 2022. Police reported the span, on Forbes Avenue above Fern Hollow Creek in Frick Park, collapsed collapsed around 6 a.m. There were no initial reports of injuries, Pittsburgh Public Safety said on Twitter. (Greg Barnhisel via AP)
Pittsburgh Bureau Fire Chief Darryl Jones said three or four vehicles were involved in the collapse and there were 10 minor injuries including three, who were on the bus, were taken to hospital . None of the injuries were life-threatening, Jones said.
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki tweeted that President Biden is grateful to the first responders who rushed to help the drivers who were on the bridge at the time. The President will continue his trip scheduled for today and will liaise with officials on the ground about any further assistance we can provide.
The Red Cross is also on hand to help.
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said the bridge over the Hot Dog Dam Dog Park was inspected last September, CBS reports.
Nexstar and Associated Press contributed to this story.
