72-year-old passenger dies after SEPTA buses crash in Philadelphia; at least 19 others injured
"When it hit, as soon as it impacted, there was like a plume of smoke," said Ada Marin of Rhawnhurst.
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- One person was killed and more than a dozen others were injured after two SEPTA buses crashed in Philadelphia's Rhawnhurst section.
It happened around 12:10 p.m. Friday in the southbound outer lanes of Roosevelt Boulevard at Shelmire Avenue.
Police say a 72-year-old passenger was transported to Nazareth Hospital where she died from her injuries.
At least 19 others were injured in the wreck, including a 38-year-old bus driver.
The bus driver is listed in critical condition. There was no immediate word on the conditions of the other victims.
Police say one of the SEPTA bus drivers rear-ended the other. Both buses were occupied at the time.
"Somebody yelled, 'whoa whoa' like they missed their stop or something. And I guess that made her panic," recalled Robert West of the moments before the crash.
"When it hit, as soon as it impacted, there was like a plume of smoke," added Ada Marin of Rhawnhurst.
She was waiting for firefighters because of a smoke alarm in her building, and that's when she witnessed the crash.
"To me, from my perspective, it didn't seem like there was any attempt to stop," said Marin.
Officials say they will conduct a full internal review into what caused the crash.
