Multiple injuries reported as tour bus crashes into flagship SF Apple Store construction site
At least eleven people were injured, five critically, on Friday after a double-decker tour bus slammed into cars, protective barriers and scaffolding before coming to a stop at the construction site of Apple's upcoming flagship store in San Francisco on Friday.
As reported by Hoodline, the bus struck multiple parked cars along Post Street, downed a power line and demolished one block's worth of scaffolding at the Union Square Apple Store construction site. Multiple people were injured in the accident, including a bicyclist who was hit by the runaway vehicle.
The cause of the crash has not been verified, though eyewitnesses believe the bus lost control after suffering a mechanical failure, potentially related to the vehicle's brakes. Emergency personnel evacuated passengers from the bus and other cars affected by the incident, the publication said. According to the San Francisco Fire Department, the tour bus itself was carrying as many as 30 people.
The SFPD has shut down the entire area as crews deal with injuries and wreckage.
The upcoming Union Square Apple Store is set to be the Bay Area's largest and boasts a unique open design featuring a grand entryway with huge two-story sliding glass doors. As recently reported by AppleInsider, construction on the structure's steel frame was just recently completed in September, in line with Apple's estimated opening date sometime in 2016.
Update: Hoodline has updated its story to include a statement from a San Francisco Police Department spokesman, who said five people are in life-threatening condition as a result of the crash. This article has been updated to reflect the new information.
Developing
As reported by Hoodline, the bus struck multiple parked cars along Post Street, downed a power line and demolished one block's worth of scaffolding at the Union Square Apple Store construction site. Multiple people were injured in the accident, including a bicyclist who was hit by the runaway vehicle.
The cause of the crash has not been verified, though eyewitnesses believe the bus lost control after suffering a mechanical failure, potentially related to the vehicle's brakes. Emergency personnel evacuated passengers from the bus and other cars affected by the incident, the publication said. According to the San Francisco Fire Department, the tour bus itself was carrying as many as 30 people.
The SFPD has shut down the entire area as crews deal with injuries and wreckage.
The upcoming Union Square Apple Store is set to be the Bay Area's largest and boasts a unique open design featuring a grand entryway with huge two-story sliding glass doors. As recently reported by AppleInsider, construction on the structure's steel frame was just recently completed in September, in line with Apple's estimated opening date sometime in 2016.
Update: Hoodline has updated its story to include a statement from a San Francisco Police Department spokesman, who said five people are in life-threatening condition as a result of the crash. This article has been updated to reflect the new information.
Developing
Comments
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I know you are being sarcastic, but somehow some idiot will try to spin this as being Apple's fault.
Maybe it's just me, but there seems to be a ton of lines just haphazardly in the air there, is that normal or related to the downed pole?
Did it at least hit that hideous fountain so that it can be removed?
Looks like power for the cable cars.
Looks like power for the cable cars.
SF Pedantry: Cable cars are powered by grabbing onto cables which are physically running in trenches under the streets, the very finest in 19th-century technology.
The overhead wires power trolley buses, which are quieter and much less stinky than diesel, and can use regenerative braking (useful with the many hills hills) without having to carry heavy batteries. Unfortunately, they occasionally detach from the wires, which is a huge hassle for everyone.
Did it at least hit that hideous fountain so that it can be removed?
I think the fountain was around the corner on Stockton Street.
My sympathy and condolences to the injured and bereaved.
Yes.
Agree! Can't wait for this Friday the 13th to be over. I am not even going out tonigh.
May all these people rest in peace and all the injure make a full recovery.
Physically or emotionally?
As an aside, these busses have been breaking down fairly regularly near my house. Wonder if I need to get in touch with local investigative officials.
Looks like power for the cable cars.
Power lines for the trolleybus (a bus powered by electricity received by a pantograph).
Cable cars don't need power. There's a cable in the ground that's always moving and drags the car along.
The Apple Store bends. Waiting for the Sammy commercials and stronger enclosures next year.
I hate these tour buses whenever I went to the City. They're so fucking unsafe to operate in the crowded city and small roads like SF. I hope everyone is ok and just sue this damn tour bus programs to bankrupt them.
But these tour buses aren't that much bigger than some of the 80 or so tech shuttle buses, that runs through the City daily, shuttling workers to Silicon Valley work places. Most of them use the same routes that public transportation buses use near residential areas, but they too, have to navigate through some of busy business districts in the course of their run.
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/S-F-s-temporary-tech-shuttle-rules-get-good-6549938.php#photo-6075256