Man Dies in Fatal SEPTA Bus Accident on Bus Route in West Philadelphia, PA
A senior citizen was tragically killed in a SEPTA bus accident in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The fatal bus accident occurred in the Parkside area of West Philly around 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 2. The sad situation developed as the victim, a 71-year-old man, attempted to chase down a SEPTA bus that was driving westbound along Belmont Avenue and Girard Avenue in West Philadelphia, PA. The Route 15 bus is normally a trolley route but was operating as a shuttle bus on this Fourth of July holiday weekend.
According to witnesses who saw the accident unfold, the victim was trying to run and catch up to the Route 15 bus when he suddenly lost his balance and slipped. Witnesses told Philadelphia police that the victim fell under the bus and then almost immediately disappeared from view. Law enforcement later determined that the victim had been tripped up near the rear wheels of the SEPTA bus and may have gotten caught on the rear tire, causing him to be pulled under the wheels.
After the accident, the bus driver, several passengers, and multiple witnesses dialed 911 to alert local law enforcement to the need for emergency medical responders. Unfortunately, by the time Philadelphia police officers and a medical response team arrived at the scene of the bus accident, it was too late. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, just 10 minutes after the bus accident went down.
At this time, Philadelphia police and SEPTA authorities are conducting an active investigation into the accident as they try to determine exactly what caused the fatal bus crash.
Depending on the outcome of the investigation, it is possible that the victim’s family will be able to file a wrongful death claim to seek damages for negligence. Moreover, the defendants in any wrongful death claim related to the accident could potentially include Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) because the bus driver is employed by the agency.
For additional information, go to the following article: Police: Man Killed Trying to Catch SEPTA bus in West Philadelphia