At least six people were injured Wednesday when a pedestrian bridge collapsed onto a busy highway in Washington, D.C., according to reports.
Update bridge collapse I-295 prior to Polk St NE. 6 patients assessed, 4 of those were transported. #DCsBravest Hazmat unit mitigating diesel fuel leak from truck that is partially beneath bridge. At least 1 other vehicle was struck by debris. Collapse blocks both directions. pic.twitter.com/wILXGs1zWe
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) June 23, 2021
Five people had to be transported to area hospitals, while two others were treated at the scene, reports said.
Early reports said the extent of the injuries were non-life threatening, however, their exact conditions have yet to be confirmed by emergency officials.
A Hazmat team was dispatched due to a fuel leak from a truck that was hit by the falling bridge.
The foot bridge buckled about noon and blocked all lanes of State Highway 295. It was unclear if anyone had been walking across the structure when it collapsed.
The bridge is at Kenilworth Avenue and Polk Street.
The collapse might have been caused by a collision and not a structural issue, according to Victoria Sanchez, a reporter with 7 News in D.C., who cited a statement by Chris Geldart, the district’s acting deputy mayor for public safety and justice.
Bridge Collapse Update — 5 people taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, collapse possibly “caused by collision” not structural issue, the closure on 295 in NE could last through Thursday.
— Victoria Sanchez (@VictoriaSanchez) June 23, 2021
Officials checking nearby bridges for structural safety. @7NewsDC pic.twitter.com/0c3yajttEN
The bridge was last inspected in February.
Public safety officials spread out after Wednesday’s accident to check the safety of other bridges throughout the district, reports said.
Photos of the accident posted to social media show large slabs of concrete rubble on the road along with twisted and mangled fencing that encased the elevated walkway. A sign for the Benning Road exit was down on the ground.
Two vehicles appeared to be underneath the wreckage, NBC4 reported.
At least one truck appeared to have been severely damaged by falling debris.
Kenilworth bridge just collapsed. 😳 pic.twitter.com/FgPjqormfs
— ♌️😈 (@DEW_sayDOMO) June 23, 2021
Firefighters on the scene were checking for cars underneath the collapse, but no one was trapped, NBC4 reported.
The accident caused a traffic backup that stretched for several miles in both directions, according to NBC4.
D.C. Fire Department officials and EMS crews were still on the scene more than several hours after the accident. The highway was expected to remain closed until Thursday.
Three years ago, six people were killed when a pedestrian bridge that was still under construction collapsed in Miami.
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