July 21, 2008
1 Dead in Accident Near SI Ferry Terminal at Whitehall
According to reports, an accident has left 1 dead and 2 injured outside the Staten Island Ferry terminal in Lower Manhattan. Per WCBS 2, "a sedan that lost control went over the divider and struck [a motorcycle] before coming to a stop" at the terminal. WABC 7 says the fatality was from a motorcycle; it's possible there were two motorcycles involved. And a witness said, "I heard a loud explosion. I saw a car on top of a motorcycle, and it was engulfed in flames." Whitehall and South Streets are currently shut down as police investigate.
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wtf was a vehicle going so fast in that area that it flew over the concrete dividers.
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I saw this, and it was a real mess. As a motorcyclist with ten years of experience, I know these types of accidents don't happen without some serious negligence.
That car must have been absolutely barreling down a busy commercial street. I didn't see this myself, but coworkers who saw the scene from a window say it knocked over another jersey barrier before hitting the bikes.
The bikes involved were a cruiser and a Buell. The Buell was trapped under the car, pinned against the jersey barrier.
At least one article mentioned the possibility of racing being involved. I wouldn't be surprised, but most of the other reports state the driver was attempting to pass a parked bus. Buses are parked on the side of 1 New York Plaza daily, as their drivers take breaks. I'm just not sure what legitimate cause the driver of the car would have to go at that speed and swerve so violently and carelessly as to provoke this incident.
The presumed body of one of the riders was left out on the intersection under a yellow tarp for many hours for gawkers and tourists to snap photos of. What are the guidelines of whether someone gets taken to the hospital to be pronounced dead or left on the street?
My thoughts are with the family of the biker who was killed. May he rest in peace...
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eastbloc,
in cases of trauma EMS can pronounce the person dead if the person is in cardiac arrest and also has an obvious mortal injury such as.. well you know ..
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In the event of an accident involving a fatality or injuries significant enough that they may be fatal; the scene must be investigated by NYPD Highway Patrol. They have specific units designated for accident investigation service and they may be coming from a distance. They aren't typically going to break their necks getting to the scene to take measurements. So as morbid as it may appear, the body must remain in public view so that officers can see what position they landed in etc.
And TJ is correct. In cases of obvious death EMS can pronounce. Typically if the body is in public view EMS will transport to the morgue once the investigation is complete. If the body is not in public they are usually released to OCME or the family's funeral director.
The more ya know.