Photo by Eric Ayres The Washington Ave. Bridge in Wheeling collapsed Wednesday afternoon.

Three people were injured Wednesday afternoon after the Washington Avenue Bridge in Wheeling collapsed into Wheeling Creek.

According to Wheeling Fire Department spokesman Philip Stahl, several 911 calls came in shortly before 2 p.m. saying the bridge — which was in the process of being replaced — collapsed into the creek, taking a truck and an excavator with it.

Stahl said three people were injured — he did not know the severities — and were in the process of being rescued from the collapsed bridge deck Wednesday afternoon.

A large public safety response was at the bridge Wednesday. The bridge closed in early December to begin the months-long process of a full replacement. It had been closed temporarily in the past to conduct short-term repairs on structural deterioration. The posted weight limit had been reduced for safety.

The bridge is a significant link between National Road and the Clator neighborhood that houses WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital. There are also several businesses on Washington Avenue just on the other side of the bridge from National Road, as well as Wheeling University.

Return to theintelligencer.net later for more on this developing story.