US bridge collapses hours before Biden visit to highlight US$1 trillion infrastructure bill
- Snow-covered bridge in city of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania came down not long before president was due to arrive, injuring 10; gas leak reported in area
- Collapse highlights Biden’s call for massive investment in ageing bridges, highways; Pennsylvania state said to have 3,198 bridges in poor condition
Ten people sustained injuries, all of them minor, when the snow-covered span in the northeastern state of Pennsylvania collapsed into a wooded gully at about 6am, according to authorities, who said a massive gas leak was reported in the area at the time. The leak was brought under control, they said.
The two-lane bridge’s collapse prompted rescuers to descend nearly 150 feet (46 metres) while others formed a human chain to help multiple people out of a dangling bus.
“It sounded like a snow plough,” said a witness, calling the bridge collapse on the day of Biden’s visit “an amazing coincidence”.
Biden was told of the bridge collapse and would proceed with his trip as planned, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. The White House was in touch with state and local officials about the incident, she added.