Chinatown Bus Runs Over Woman on Canal Street

A 92-year-old woman was run over and dragged by a Chinatown bus yesterday afternoon. Her injuries were so bad that her legs were amputated at Bellevue.

The Post reports that the woman had been walking west on Canal Street when a New Century bus hit her when it was turning onto Forsyth.

. It dragged her halfway down the block before passers-by could flag down the driver.

"The light was green," said the driver, who gave his name only as Gao. "There were no people. "

The woman regained consciousness at Bellevue Hospital, but doctors could not save her legs.

The driver was not charged, but the Post points out that Philadelphia-based New Century only scored 43 out of 100 on federal safety.

Concerns over safety of Chinatown buses has been a longtime topic. The buses, which offer very cheap fares, seem to in poor condition (meaning breakdowns during trips). Last year, a bus crashed in Pennsylvania, killing two.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on January 14, 2008 8:49 AM

Comments [rss]

soothsayer

i was there on that day, i saw the bus, and the victim, and the ambulance.

apparently the bus initiated the left turn, but because of how narrow the street is, the bus has to swing back in until it clears the corner, and that is how the victim got smacked; she fell, and ended up under the back wheels.

...everybody else here is just speculating based on racism, or whatever.... par the course for gothamist.

flickr.com/lucky_dog

GOP

Greyhound isn't much safer. And remember when they fleeced NYers back before the Chinatown buses came?

I will forever ride the Chinatown bus. Greyhound has had their fare share of fatal accidents as well.

JacqueMehoff

yes, it is.

just like that drunk irish fireman who hit a ped.

CKNY

Dangerous Chinese driver? Is this really news?

Gwinny

Chinatown is full of completely crappy drivers who run red lights and pay NO attention to pedestrians, so this doesn't surprise me at all... nor am I surprised by the fact that the driver wasn't charged.

meohmyinthenyc

These drivers are insane. On my last trip with Fung Wah, leaving Manhattan, the driver took no heed of the people already IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CROSSWALK and almost sideswipped them with how fast he took the corner. Are these people's families in China threatened with waterboard torture if they don't make it to their destination in time?! JFHC!

drewo

I am glad the driver was not hurt and, as expected, he was not charged with dragging an old lady a few blocks under his bus which resulted in the old lady losing both her legs.

emilydickinson

I personally know two people who have been on these busses that have caught fire. One of them, was just a small fire and it delayed the trip. The other was a complete conflagragation and he lost all his luggage etc. I'd rather just shell out for Amtrak.

nivek

Surprised that this hasn't happened earlier...those drivers are madmen.

When Fung Wah was still getting started, they had these minibuses, and on the way to Boston, the driver tried to pass an 18-wheeler on the right (which you shouldn't do) and smacked the stone guard rail on I-278, as there was construction at the time...we all flew like 2 feet up out of our seats. The driver slightly inspected the damage at the rest stop and we just kept going. Three hours! Amazing!

nivek

Surprised that this hasn't happened earlier...those drivers are madmen.

When Fung Wah was still getting started, they had these minibuses, and on the way to Boston, the driver tried to pass an 18-wheeler on the right (which you shouldn't do) and smacked the stone guard rail on I-278, as there was construction at the time...we all flew like 2 feet up out of our seats. The driver slightly inspected the damage at the rest stop and we just kept going. Three hours! Amazing!

allie25

i take the fung wah bus from nyc to boston all the time. 15$ round trip, but you are definetly taking your life into your hands. but it's better than any experience i've had with the greyhound at port authority, which is saying alot.

allie25

i take the fung wah bus from nyc to boston all the time. 15$ round trip, but you are definetly taking your life into your hands. but it's better than any experience i've had with the greyhound at port authority, which is saying alot.

JacqueMehoff

I clocked a greyhound bus I was on going 85 on my GPS. Pretty scary for a night trip. Bus broke down right before the exit ramp at destination, then it was a smoking party.

Friend was on a greyhound bus full of convicts who were just released. it was like a reunion party(sex in the back, included) till the bus got pulled over by the State troopers looking for someone.

loganmo

So can I now finally order aged-leg fried rice at those nasty take out joints?

JMH

Though I'm sure yakatori's reasoning is sound and not just some bias due to ignorance.
I'd say that not wanting to trust a company that scored 43/100 in a federal safety rating is sound reasoning.

aydiosmio

I wouldn't get on a chinatown bus if you paid me.

These buses are great. They run thousands of passengers every day safely, and they run more often than Greyhound to the same locations.

Though I'm sure yakatori's reasoning is sound and not just some bias due to ignorance.

babyhitler

I would blame the old lady in this case. You ever see them walk? it takes them forever and a day. All old people should be confined to their homes and spoon fed until they die. They should not be meant to feel a part of society cause they smell and aren't good looking anymore.

JRod5417

Am I the only one amazed that this 92 year old woman survived!?

zodak

canal st is madness. people cross the street whenever they want & don't pay attention to traffic. this sucks though, something has to be done about turning traffic, maybe like what they've done in midtown with the turning lane.