Officials have reported that at least 55 people were injured in Los Angeles after a University of Southern California shuttle bus collided with a Metro light rail train. The incident occurred around noon on Tuesday along Exposition Boulevard near the USC Campus and Natural History Museum.
Witnesses described the bus as having its front end crunched in the collision. Genesis Hernandez, who was in the area at the time, mentioned seeing numerous ambulances rushing to the scene.
According to a spokesperson for LA Metro, the bus entered the path of an E Line train. The light rail line, which stretches from East Los Angeles to downtown Santa Monica, mostly runs along streets without gates at all crossings.
The USC Transportation statement revealed that the Starcraft 40-passenger bus had only the driver and one passenger on board during the accident. Both the driver and passenger sustained severe injuries, as confirmed by fire department officials.
On the Metro train bound for Santa Monica, there were over 150 passengers. The Los Angeles Fire Department reported that at least 55 individuals were evaluated and treated following the train-bus collision. Sixteen of them were taken to local medical facilities in fair condition, while 37 others were treated and released at the scene.
The Los Angeles Police Department will lead the investigation into the incident. A representative from Metro expressed sympathy for those injured in the accident.
