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Listen to the emergency radio calls from the Fern Hollow Bridge collapse | TribLIVE.com
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Listen to the emergency radio calls from the Fern Hollow Bridge collapse

Megan Guza
4713943_web1_ptr-BridgeCollapse001
Jason Cato | Tribune-Review
Pittsburgh paramedics climb down on Tranquil Trail in Pittsburgh’s Frick Park after Fern Hollow Bridge collapsed Friday, Jan. 28, 2022.
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Kristina Serafini | Tribune-Review
Vehicles are seen at the site of the collapsed Fern Hollow Bridge in Frick Park on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022. The bridge collapsed Friday morning.

Emergency services scanner traffic indicates a chaotic scene in the first moments after the Fern Hollow Bridge collapsed Jan. 28 in Pittsburgh’s Frick Park.

“Female screaming on the phone, possible vehicle over the bridge, stating the bridge gave out. Unknown injuries,” a dispatcher says at 6:41 a.m.

Moments later, another voice comes over the radio.

“It’s not clear what’s happening. We could either have a partial bridge collapse, bridge that goes over Frick Park, or we have a vehicle that wrecked off of the bridge and fell about 100 feet into Frick Park. “So we’re not 100% sure. We are getting multiple calls that part of the bridge may have collapsed.”

A Port Authority dispatcher is soon heard confirming the collapse.

“I’ve got bus 3309 that is on that bridge with several passengers inside, he is confirming the bridge has collapsed.”

Here is more of the scanner chatter below.

4713943_web1_ptr-forbesbridge005-013122
Kristina Serafini | Tribune-Review
Vehicles are seen at the site of the collapsed Fern Hollow Bridge in Frick Park on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022. The bridge collapsed Friday morning.

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