Pittsburgh Bridge Collapse: 10 Injuries, Biden Visit To Continue

PITTSBURGH, PA — At least 10 people were injured when a Pittsburgh bridge collapsed early Friday morning. The bridge was carrying Forbes Avenue traffic over Frick Park in Squirrel Hill near Regent Square.

Pittsburgh Public Safety officials said three of the injured people were taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Officials are also checking that there are no injured victims under the collapsed bridge.

A Port Authority bus was on a portion of the span at the time of the collapse and could be seen upright on a section of the collapsed bridge. According to The Associated Press, rescuers had to rappel nearly 150 feet while others formed a human chain to help rescue people.

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said he was thankful there were no reported fatalities or critical injuries at this time.

The bridge collapse occurred just hours before President Joe Biden's scheduled appearance several miles away, where he is expected to talk about infrastructure. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the president would proceed with the trip.

Biden, Psaki tweeted, "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."

Pittsburgh Public Safety says there is a strong smell of natural gas near the collapse and to avoid the area. The gas line has since been cut.

Pedestrians are also being asked to avoid Frick Park.

Forbes is closed between South Dallas and South Braddock avenues. The road is heavily traveled, so traffic in the vicinity likely will face significant disruptions for the foreseeable future.

This is a breaking story and will be updated as more details become available.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.