At least 10 people were injured when a snow-covered bridge in Pittsburgh collapsed early Friday, just hours before President Biden was due to visit the city to highlight his push to improve infrastructure.
Biden stopped at the crash site Friday afternoon. "I've been coming to Pittsburgh for a long time," he said of the city of 446 bridges. "And we will fix them all," he said.
Biden put his hand on a police officer's shoulder and said, "These guys deserve an incredible amount of credit."
Pittsburgh Public Safety confirmed the collapse in a tweet just before 7 a.m. ET The bridge spans a wooded ravine and creek in the city's Frick Park, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
A short time later, Pittsburgh Public Safety said there was a strong smell of gas in the area and confirmed that a gas line had been cut. He added that the Red Cross had been contacted for "victim assistance".
At least three of the 10 people who were hurt were taken to the hospital, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety. They said the injuries were not life-threatening.
Fire Chief Darryl Jones said that there was a "massive gas leak, but that is now under control." The families who had to evacuate have since been allowed to return, according to CBS affiliate KDKA.
All K-5, K-8, 6-8 and Special Schools will transition to remote learning, Pittsburgh Public Schools said, citing "the impact of a bridge collapse in the East End and a high volume of bus driver call-offs."
How the collapse unfolded
It is not clear what caused the bridge to collapse. Several cars and a Port Authority bus were involved.
Port Authority spokesperson Adam Brandolph told NPR that the bus was "nearly at the East side of the bridge" when it began to collapse at around 6:45 a.m. Crews helped get the operator and two passengers off the bus, and none were injured.
"We are extremely thankful that no one from the bus has reported any injuries, and grateful for the first responders who risked their own lives to save others," Brandolph added.
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