Five people were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after a pedestrian bridge collapsed on Wednesday in Washington, D.C., city authorities said.
Christopher Geldart, the acting deputy mayor for public safety and justice, said in a press conference that five people were in their cars during a collision around 11:52 a.m. that authorities believe caused the bridge to collapse. Geldart also stressed the investigation into the cause of the crash is still in its preliminary stages.
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Mayor Muriel Bowser attended the briefing and added that the city did not have concerns about the structural integrity of the bridge.
“I’m very grateful to all the first responders who got here very quickly,” she added.
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
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The number of people authorities reported as injured changed throughout the day.
The city’s Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department originally reported that only three people had minor injuries from the incident. The department later issued a tweet, before officials held the press conference, that said four people had been transported to the hospital.
“Hazmat unit mitigating diesel fuel leak from truck that is partially beneath bridge. At least 1 other vehicle was struck by debris,” the department tweeted. “Collapse blocks both directions.”
