Truck crashes into building in Boston's Chinatown, 6 people hurt
A box truck crashed into a building Tuesday afternoon in Boston's Chinatown neighborhood not far from Downtown Crossing, injuring six people.
It happened around 12:45 p.m. in the area of Kneeland Street and Harrison Avenue. Surveillance video showed the truck careening down the street seconds before the crash and then people running to help. The video obtained by WBZ did not capture the actual crash.
Four people were taken to the hospital after the crash, including two who were in critical condition. One of those patients was later upgraded, leaving one person critically hurt as of Tuesday afternoon.
"We don't have any reason to believe that this was an intentional act," Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said during a press conference Tuesday afternoon. Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox added that it appears to be a "tragic accident more than anything else."
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said the city's building inspector will assess the damage to the building before determining when it can reopen.
Boston Chinatown crash
Following the crash, the driver was trapped in the cab of the truck and needed to be removed by firefighters using extrication tools, according to the Boston Fire Department.
The driver was the patient who was in critical condition but later had his condition upgraded, Cox said.
"A little chaotic. There were four people on the ground and one driver trapped. EMS and fire were tending to the victims and also trying to extricate the driver, making sure the scene was safe and that the truck was not going to tip over and cause more damage," Boston Fire Department Deputy Chief Steven Shaffer said about the response following the crash.
Witnesses in the area heard "a loud set of booms" and immediately ran to help the victims.
"The victims were moving," witness Chris Sullivan said. "You know, arms and legs moving a little bit. They're definitely in pain."
"Other people that was walking noticed the situation and they all went for help, and tried to help the guy that was on the ground that was hit also and there was someone stuck under the truck also," Malikah El-Bey Brown said.
Box truck crash in Boston
A large number of police and firefighters could be seen in the area, along with the heavily damaged box truck that had rolled onto its side.
Harrison Avenue and Kneeland Street were closed between Tyler and Washington streets. The streets were reopened Tuesday night after the box truck was towed away.
Cox said it is not yet known if the driver was speeding or if they could have had a medical incident.
