11-year-old Miami girl struck by ambulance while crossing street in Little Havana, officials and witnesses say
An 11-year-old girl was taken to a hospital after she was struck by an ambulance Friday morning while on her way to school in Miami, according to school officials and witnesses.
The incident happened around 8 a.m. at 542 NW 12th Ave. in Little Havana, near SLAM Miami charter school and a few blocks from LoanDepot Park, Miami police confirmed.
Witnesses told CBS News Miami crews at the scene that a girl was walking across a street to SLAM when an ambulance hit her. The ambulance had it's lights on and appeared to be taking someone to a hospital, a witness said.
According to Miami Fire-Rescue, an ambulance was transporting a patient with lights and sirens to a hospital when the girl "unexpectedly stepped out between standstill traffic."
Miami police said that at the time of the incident, traffic in the northbound lanes were at a standstill and the ambulance moved into the southbound lanes, which were empty.
MFR said that in an attempt to avoid the child, the driver of the unit made an evasive maneuver but struck her.
The crews stopped to render aid to the child and another rescue unit transported her to a local hospital. She has serious injuries but is expected to be OK, police said. The original patient being transported at the time was also transferred to another unit and taken to a hospital.
The school confirmed the girl was a student there, saying it is in contact with the family and is offering them support.
Miami police said that at the time of the incident, the school bell had already rung and the crossing guards were inside the school.
"Our thoughts are with the student and their family during this difficult time," said Adri Lima, spokesperson for the school.
Another witness described the moment of the crash as "shocking."
"It looks like the girl was a little careless," a witness said. "Saw her running across the street, she could not stop and it's not like [the ambulance] could stop because it was too late."
A third witness told CBS News Miami the girl seemed to be alert and responding after she was hit. Police have not said what the girl's condition is.
Calls for additional security around Miami schools
One witness said they think there should be police officers patrolling when students cross the street, there should be more security and they called on drivers to slow down, adding there should also be a traffic light in the area.
Miami police said road closures included NW 12 Ave. between NW 4th and 7th Streets in Miami due to the investigation. Drivers were being asked to avoid the area.