On Christmas Day, a yellow NYC taxi cab struck multiple pedestrians in Midtown Manhattan near Herald Square, injuring six people, including a 9-year-old boy. The incident brought chaos to the typically festive streets of New York City, just steps away from the iconic Macy’s department store.
The crash occurred around 4:20 p.m. at the intersection of Sixth Avenue and West 34th Street, a bustling area crowded with holiday shoppers and tourists. The cab reportedly jumped the curb, hitting a group of pedestrians before coming to a stop.
Three victims, including the young boy, were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Two were transported to Weill Cornell Medical Center, while the third was sent to Bellevue Hospital.
Authorities have confirmed that all hospitalized victims are in stable condition. The remaining three pedestrians declined medical attention at the scene, according to an Associated Press report.
Initial investigations suggest that the 58-year-old taxi driver may have experienced a medical episode, leading to the crash. Witnesses reported that the driver remained at the scene and cooperated fully with authorities.
At this time, the New York Police Department (NYPD) is conducting a thorough investigation to determine the precise cause of the accident. No charges have been filed against the driver, and the incident is currently being treated as accidental.
Amid the chaos, bystanders quickly jumped into action to help those injured. One witness recounted the heroic efforts of a group that worked together to rescue the victims.
The witness, who chose to remain anonymous, described the scene: “One gentleman went over, shut the car off, got into it, and turned it off. There was a whole group of us that ripped the fender off, lifted the car back.”
He added, “That’s when I grabbed the little boy, got him to the corner, and realized what ended up being his mom underneath [the car].”
The crash occurred at one of New York City’s busiest intersections, outside Macy’s on 34th Street. The area is known for its holiday decorations, drawing large crowds during the Christmas season.
The accident disrupted the festive atmosphere, leaving witnesses and passersby shaken. Video footage captured shortly after the crash showed the aftermath, with emergency responders tending to the injured and police cordoning off the scene.
The incident sparked an outpouring of concern and sympathy from the community. According to the New York Post good Samaritans stepped in to assist the victims, highlighting the city’s resilience and compassion in times of crisis.
The NYPD is continuing its investigation to determine the exact sequence of events leading to the crash. Officials are reviewing surveillance footage and conducting interviews with witnesses and the driver.
BREAKING: Six people, including two children, were injured after a yellow cab plowed into a group of pedestrians in New York’s Herald Square. pic.twitter.com/VujFU1YLuu
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) December 25, 2024
While the preliminary findings point to a medical emergency, further details are expected as the investigation unfolds.