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17 Struck by Van in Chinatown, Two Children Dead
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 22, 2009
Modified Jan 22, 2009
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By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 22, 2009
Modified Jan 22, 2009
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A tragedy is unfolding in Chinatown: One child is dead and others are injured after a minivan jumped a curb and struck them. The incident occurred around 38 East Broadway, near Catherine Street. WCBS 2 reports, "Police say the van apparently backed up onto the sidewalk, striking the children. At least two of the victims were pinned below the vehicle."
According to WABC, two of the victims were taken to NY Downtown Hospital. It's unclear how many children were there, we're hearing estimates of three, five and ten victims. WCBS 2 adds that "at least 75 responders were called to the area of the accident."
Update: NY1 now says 14 people—10 children and 4 adults—were struck by the van. Two children are in critical condition and three children are in stable condition.
Update II: CityRoom reports a second child has died at the hospital; apparently the children were in a day care program—walking in a "daisy chain" with their adult chaperones. WABC: "The children were walking from a library visit back to the Red Apple Child Development Center at 25 Market Street."
A witness told CityRoom the driver "was making a three-point turn. He backed up onto the sidewalk"; then the witness heard the "screaming." However, the AP reports (via NY1) that the driver told police he left the car running while making a delivery and the car kept moving.
Update III: Now it's believed that 17 people were hit by the van. CityRoom says that a 4-year-old girl died immediately, while a 3-year-old boy and 4-year-old girl were taken to the hospital in critical condition. The boy died and NY Downtown Hospital chief medical officer Dr. Warren Licht said, "Despite heroic efforts of our emergency-room staff, the child was pronounced dead. Everything possible was tried to save this child’s life.”
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer lamented the "overwhelming amount of truck traffic" in the area, pointing out it has been an issue in community board meetings. WCBS 2 reports he said, "This is something that we have worried about for months and months." And the Post has a heartbreaking witness account, "I ran over and there was a lot of blood. One child was like an accordion, crushed up in a ball. They were hit so hard they were on the floor. The children weren't moving."
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Chinatown
minivan
pedestrians
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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