Taxi strikes pedestrians in New York City's Herald Square on Christmas Day, leaving six injured, including a young boy.
Taxi Strikes Pedestrians in New York City's Herald Square on Christmas Day, Six Injured
Six people were injured, including a 9-year-old boy, after a taxi struck pedestrians in New York City's Herald Square on Christmas Day. The incident occurred around 4 p.m. near 34th Street and Sixth Avenue, a busy area close to Macy's.
Three individuals, including the boy, were taken to the hospital. The boy sustained a thigh injury, a 41-year-old woman suffered a head injury, and a 49-year-old woman sustained a leg injury. Three other women, aged 49, 37, and 19, declined medical treatment.
The driver of the taxi, a 58-year-old man, is under evaluation, but authorities have yet to determine what caused the accident. No arrests have been made at this time.
According to police, the taxi was traveling northbound on Sixth Avenue when it veered onto the sidewalk, striking pedestrians. Footage from the scene showed the vehicle on the sidewalk with its front end crumpled and surrounded by police officers.
Witness Ryan Tucker recounted the terrifying event, stating that his wife was struck on her shoulder and spun around but remained standing. Tucker then turned his attention to a boy trapped under the taxi.
"He was trapped under the tire, and when we moved the car back, we realized that his mother was also underneath it," Tucker said. The mother remained calm, comforting her son until help arrived.
Tucker and other bystanders managed to rock the car back to free the boy and his mother, who were visiting New York from Australia. The boy, visibly shaken, reportedly told Tucker, "This is the worst holiday ever."
Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the accident.