3-Year-Old Critically Injured In 2-Vehicle Crash On Rankin Bridge
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Icy conditions may be to blame for a two-vehicle crash that critically injured a 3-year-old girl on the Rankin Bridge this morning.
The Rankin police chief was one of the first on scene and tried to resuscitate the child before paramedics arrived at the scene.
The crash, which happened around 7:30 a.m., was most likely the result of ice on the bridge.
Allegheny County Police say a gold Mercedes was driving across the bridge towards Rankin when they hit a patch of ice.
A mother, father and the 3-year-old girl were in the car when it went out of control and slid into a black sedan headed in the opposite direction.
Rankin Police Chief Ryan Wooten jumped into action and started giving the girl breaths until medics arrived. She was the most critically injured, and police tell KDKA that she has preexisting medical conditions and is also autistic.
Police say the 3-year-old was in the proper seat and buckled in.
The girl's mother was seriously injured and the father had minor injuries.
Two people, in the other vehicle, were also hurt and taken to the hospital. But they are expected to be okay.
We asked the Rankin Police chief for a comment about helping the young girl. He declined, saying he was too upset and wanted to respect the family.
Police say the little girl remains in critical condition at Children's Hospital.
The other victims were taken to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital and UPMC Mercy Hospital for treatment.
Crews had to close the bridge down this morning due to the slick conditions, emergency dispatchers say.
Accident investigators were also called to the scene.
Meanwhile, on Ohio River Boulevard near Route 65 north and the McKees Rocks Bridge, a three-vehicle accident slowed down traffic.
Emergency dispatchers say one person became pinned in a vehicle and had to be rescued. Two others were able to get out. There's no word yet on the severity of injuries.
So far, officials have not said what caused that accident.
The Parkway North HOV lanes were also closed this morning after a car flipped over onto its roof. It happened just before 7 a.m.
There were no injuries and police say the road was icy.
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