FDNY truck collides with MTA bus in Queens; 12 hurt
ASTORIA, Queens (WABC) --
An FDNY truck responding to a fire collided with a MTA bus in Queens
Sunday afternoon, leaving 12 people hurt, including 2 firefighters and
bus passengers.
The accident happened at the intersection of Ditmars Blvd and 21st Street in Astoria. The MTA bus ended up on the sidewalk, just feet from going into a storefront, and narrowly missing people eating at an outdoor café on the corner. The bus crashed into two parked cars, which prevented it from going into a building.
"It sounded like a bomb. It was a humungous sound. We were so afraid, we came running to see what happened," said Laura Milander.
The accident happened just before 12:30 Sunday as the bus was heading down 21st Street, and the fire truck was coming down Ditmars Blvd. The firefighters were heading to a fire about half a dozen blocks from the crash scene.
According to witnesses, there were pregnant women and young children on the bus.
"The driver of that truck was hanging outside the window. I immediately ran over to try to hold him up. He was bleeding. I was holding him up while the other firefighter came around to try to open the door, because at that time, the truck started rolling, so I was holding him. I was moving with him," said Anthony Pace.
Everyone who was injured is expected to be okay.
The fire down the street was brought under control, with no reported injuries there.