3 injured after SEPTA bus, flatbed truck collide near Fox Chase businesses

FOX CHASE (WPVI) -- Authorities are investigating an accident involving a SEPTA bus and a flatbed truck in the Fox Chase section of Philadelphia.

Shortly before 12:30 p.m. Monday, the Route 18 bus was apparently coming out from a turnaround onto Oxford Avenue.

Witnesses say the flatbed truck carrying a big front-end loader on the back was traveling up Oxford toward Rhawn with a police officer on a motorcycle as an escort.

After the officer passed, the bus came out of the turnaround to make a right turn, just as the truck was approaching.

The two vehicles collided and the tractor slammed into the Blooming Artist Studio.

Nora McKloskey was inside the studio painting when she heard the very loud crash and came outside for a look.

"I just saw that giant, white truck stuck into the side of my building, the corner of my building, and then I immediately thought how glad I was that it didn't come into me," said McKloskey.

Even those who saw the collision happen couldn't figure out how and why it did.

"It's crazy. I don't understand how a driver like that can miss that guy with a police escort. It doesn't make any sense," said Josh Buss.

Chris Burgos witnessed the crash and helped those on board the bus.

"The driver of the truck got out and she was frantic and asked if everybody was alright. And me and him went onto the bus to see if everybody was alright. There was only three people in there," said Burgos.

Three people, two passengers and the bus driver, were transported to Aria Health Torresdale with nonlife-threatening injuries. They have been treated and released.

The bus driver tells police she doesn't remember anything about what happened.

Responders had to delicately remove the big rig Monday night from the building.

There were concerns the building may partially collapse, but in the end it didn't and no one was seriously hurt.

L&I has shut down the building, deeming it unsafe. The owner has 30 days to have it checked out and repairs made to make it safe and secure.