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NEW YORK — On Christmas Day, a taxi veered off course, injuring six pedestrians in Herald Square, including a 9-year-old boy. The incident occurred around 4 p.m. at the busy intersection of 34th Street and Sixth Avenue, a location well-known for its proximity to Macy’s.
Among the injured, three individuals were hospitalized: the young boy sustained a thigh injury, a 41-year-old woman incurred a head injury, and a 49-year-old woman suffered a leg injury. Additionally, three other women, aged 49, 37, and 19, chose not to seek medical assistance.
Authorities reported that the 58-year-old taxi driver experienced a medical emergency and is currently under evaluation at a hospital. No charges have been filed against the driver at this time.
“My thoughts are with the victims,” stated Charlton D’Silva from Passengers United. “I hope the cab driver makes a swift recovery as well.”
According to the police, the taxi was driving north on Sixth Avenue before it unexpectedly mounted the sidewalk. Eyewitness footage captured the aftermath, showing the vehicle on the sidewalk with its front end damaged, surrounded by emergency responders.
Eyewitness Shares Disturbing Account
Witness Ryan Tucker recounted the startling moment when the taxi struck his wife. “We were walking along the sidewalk when the cab hit her on the back shoulder, causing her to spin but fortunately not knock her down,” he said.
After ensuring his wife’s safety, Tucker quickly turned his attention to the young boy who was trapped beneath the car. “He was stuck under the taxi’s tire, and when we managed to lift the car, we discovered that his mother was also underneath. She was conscious and talking to him, trying to keep him calm,” he recalled.
Tucker and other bystanders worked together to lift the vehicle and free the mother and her son, who were visiting from Australia. The injured boy expressed his distress, declaring it the “worst holiday ever.”
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