A 58-year-old taxi driver ran over six people in Herald Square, Manhattanthis Wednesday afternoon after apparently suffering a medical episodeaccording to the New York Police.
Among the injured are a nine year old boy and his mother, who were rescued by a group of passersby who acted immediately.
The incident occurred around 4 pm (local time) at the intersection of 34th Street and Sixth Avenue, an area with a large tourist influx due to its proximity to Macy’s y Broadway. The taxi, which was traveling north, mounted the sidewalk and struck six pedestrians, including five women, all with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.
The minor was trapped with one leg under the wheel of the taxi, while his mother, 41, was thrown under the vehicle. A tourist from Oregon told the channel ABC 7 how he and other witnesses acted quickly.
“One man turned off the car’s engine, a group tore off the fender and lifted the car. That’s when I took the child out and took him to the corner; I realized his mother was trapped under the car.“, said.
The boy and his mother were taken to Weill Cornell Medical Centerwhile another victim, 49 years old, was taken to the Bellevue Hospital. Three women, ages 19, 37 and 49, refused medical attention at the scene.
The Police continue to investigate the incident, although everything indicates that it was an accident resulting from the driver’s health. Sam Mohammeda street vendor who was working near the scene, described the scene as “shocking.”
“I saw the car go up the sidewalk and hit people. It’s scary”, he said.
Footage of the incident showed a damaged yellow taxi, parked on the sidewalk cordoned off with police tape.
The accident occurs at a time when New York authorities have increased security measures during the Christmas season, given the high concentration of tourists in the city.
The incident also comes just a week after a driver hit a Christmas market in Germany, causing five deaths and 200 injuries.
Weigh in on the tragedy, Herald Square It was filled again hours later with tourists and passersby, some of whom reflected on the impact of the event.
“It’s obviously disturbing,” said Clint Burnette, a visitor from Colorado. “You don’t want to witness something like that.”
(With information from EFE and AFP)
