MALVERN, Pennsylvania. – A 160-year-old piece of local history was severely damaged when a fallen tree crushed the center of the Knox Covered Bridge in Valley Forge National Historical Park.

Officials say no one was injured when the bridge was hit, but local hiker Chris Prendergast may have been one of the last people to safely cross the bridge.

Prendergast, a Malvern resident, told FOX 29 he crossed the bridge about an hour before it collapsed and when he returned he found it was impassable.

“I thought it definitely could have crushed someone, totally bizarre. I never think twice about using the Knox Covered Bridge,” Prendergast said.

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Park Ranger Adam Gresek said the bridge, built in 1865, has withstood fires, car crashes and floods over the years.

“Many of our visitors come here because they love covered bridges,” Gresek said. “It’s very idyllic, very picturesque.”

Motorists wishing to travel the stretch between Yellow Springs Road and Route 252 must now detour around the closure.

A PennDOT spokesman said preliminary work to repair the historic bridge will begin next week, and construction will begin the Tuesday after Labor Day.

There is currently no timetable for completion.