More than a dozen people were injured after a city bus plunged from a highway overpass in Houston, TX following a violent crash Saturday afternoon, officials said.
The terrifying incident happened shortly before 3 p.m. on Jan. 3 near the McGowen Street overpass above Highways 59 and 288 in Houston, according to local reports.
Authorities said a METRO bus was struck from behind by another vehicle, causing the bus to veer off the bridge and partially flip as it fell from the overpass.
Fourteen people were taken to area hospitals, including 13 passengers who were riding the bus and the driver of the other vehicle involved in the crash.
According to METRO officials, the driver of the car that allegedly hit the bus was hospitalized in critical but stable condition. The bus passengers suffered minor injuries, and the bus operator was not hurt.
The Houston Fire Department said one woman was trapped inside the wreckage after the crash.
Fire crews worked urgently to free her.
“She was in great pain, and we were doing everything we could to comfort her,” HFD Captain Mario Gordon said, adding that firefighters used the jaws of life along with nearly every cutting tool available to reach her.
The damaged bus was later removed from the embankment after crews secured the scene.
In a statement, a METRO spokesperson thanked the METRO Police Department, Houston Police Department, Houston Fire Department, wrecking crews, and emergency personnel for working together throughout the night.
“Their coordination and professionalism helped ensure a swift response during a challenging situation,” the spokesperson said.
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