A Houston METRO bus crash Saturday afternoon caused traffic chaos near Midtown, sending 14 to the hospital. While most injuries were minor, one driver is critical.
HOUSTON — Hours after a METRO bus was involved in a wreck that sent it off Highway 288 and down and embankment, it was hoisted up and removed, opening up lanes of traffic that had been closed most most of Saturday afternoon.
The crash happened shortly after 2:30 p.m. as a Route 54 bus was traveling on McGowen Street on the overpass for State Highway 288. Investigators believe the bus was struck from behind by another vehicle, causing it to leave the bridge and partially roll over.
“Everyone [looks] startled, shook up, traumatized, like I’m traumatized, but I wasn’t on the bus,” Lataffia Harris says.
Harris was at a bus stop along Mcgowen Street not far from the crash site.
Houston TranStar cameras showed the bus resting at an angle on the embankment near the intersection of Hamilton Street and McGowen Street.
METRO officials confirmed that 13 passengers who were on board the bus were transported to a hospital for medical evaluation. The bus operator is not reporting any injuries at this time. HFD says most of the passengers on board the bus got out on their own, but some passengers were still stuck on board.
“What makes it complicated is you have to rescue a high amount of people… the last one took about 45 minutes to extricate,” said Isaac Garcia with the Houston Police Department.
The driver of the vehicle that struck the bus was also taken to the hospital. That driver is reported to be in critical, but stable condition. METRO says all reported injuries of people on the bus are considered minor.
Environmental Health and Safety teams were also assessing the area for any potential fluid spills and ensuring they were properly addressed.
The Eastex Freeway in the area was shut down while crews worked to get the bus upright and move it.
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