Driver killed and at least five injured as car ploughs into Austin emergency room
The incident did not appear to be intentional, officials said.
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Your support makes all the difference.A driver is dead and at least five people were injured after a car crashed into an Austin, Texas emergency room on Tuesday night.
Officials with the Austin Police Department said there is “no threat to the general public” and the incident “does not appear to be an intentional act.”
The driver was pronounced dead at the scene after officials administered CPR.
Videos of the emergency room show fire and billowing smoke from where the car collided with the hospital’s doors, which sustained damage.
According to CNN, people were seen running through the emergency room lobby as the car’s tires rotated with a screeching sound. The area was quickly cleared of bystanders and hospital staff began administering aid to those injured.
Four victims, including an adult and child, were taken to nearby hospitals. The child had life-threatening injuries and the injuries of the adult could also be life-threatening. Only one patient was admitted where the incident happened.
Structural damage to the building was minor and the hospital continued to take in emergency room walk-ins.
Stephen Hughes, who was in the hospital when the crash happened, told KVUE, an ABC affiliate, about what he saw.
“I just thought something just fell over down there like a large tray or something,” he said. “But then I heard screaming and lots of other noise and I looked down the hallway and could see lots of smoke. And I just went down there to see what was going on.
“I didn’t know if maybe there was an explosion or what and people just started pulling people away from the area and I could see there was a car that had crashed into the ER.”
An investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
Governor Greg Abbott responded to the situation in a post to X, formerly Twitter.
“I’ve spoken with Mayor Watson about the tragic accident at St. David’s North Austin Medical Center & offered Texas’ full support,” he said. “State personnel are working closely with local officials to ensure Austin has no unmet needs. Cecilia & I pray for the victims & their loved ones.”
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