7 Critically Injured In Tour Bus Crash Near Union Square [Updated]

7 Critically Injured In Tour Bus Crash Near Union Square [Updated]Photo: Brian Kendzior/Twitter
Brittany Hopkins
Published on November 13, 2015

At around 3pm today, a double-decker tour bus crashed on Post Street at Stockton, injuring multiple people and taking down scaffolding and a power line. 


Runaway tourist bus apparently took down an entire block worth of scaffolding.

A photo posted by Vince Mancini (@filmdrunk) on


Update, 3:20: According to the emergency scanner, victims are being evacuated from the bus and other vehicles on the street. Our reporter on the scene notes that one injured person was extracted from the roof of the bus.

A witness reports that the bus, operated by City Sightseeing, lost its brakes and careened down Post Street, trying to avoid traffic. According to the witness, the bus driver lost control and the bus collided with cars along the way. The bus also hit scaffolding at the future site of the new Apple Store at 300 Post St.

The scanner reports that live wires are down on the street. 

Update, 3:30: The emergency scanner indicates that two victims are in critical condition. (These numbers have been updated upwards, below.)

Service on multiple bus lines has been impacted.

Update, 4:10:  The SFFD says that the tour bus was carrying as many as 30 people, and at least seven were injured in the incident, three of them critically, NBC reports

Update, 4:15: According to a statement by SFPD spokesman Officer Albie Esparza, several witnesses said the bus was traveling at a high rate of speed. Five victims are reported to be in life-threatening condition, including a cyclist hit by the bus. Eleven people are in stable condition, three with non-life-threatening injuries. 

Officer Esparza said to avoid the area, which will be shut down until further notice. The 200 block of Post is shut for SFFD triage. The cause of the incident is under investigation, Esparza said. They are looking into mechanical issues, drug and alcohol use as part of standard protocol.

Update, 4:35: According to SFFD fire chief Joanne Hayes-White, first responders extricated two people from private cars, two from the bus and two pedestrians who were partially under the bus.

"This was pretty horrific," said John Zimmer, head of security for Union Square Park. "It was gut-wrenching when I came up. It was like a bomb going off: boom boom boom boom boom."

Zimmer said that as soon as the bus stopped, good Samaritans stepped up and tried to clear the area for emergency vehicles. 


Photos: Geri Koeppel/Hoodline

This story is unfolding, and we'll add updates as they come. 

Update, 11/14: SFGate reports the numbers have been updated to reflect at least 20 hurt, seven critically. Crews worked throughout the night to clear the scaffolding; Post Street is back open this morning.

Update 2, 11/4: The tour bus company responds:

"Statement from Christian Watts, CEO City Sightseeing San Francisco

Everyone at City Sightseeing San Francisco is deeply saddened by the Union Square accident. Our hearts and prayers go out to the individuals and families who were impacted. We are cooperating with the authorities to determine how this happened. We pray that everyone involved recovers fully and quickly"

Update 3, 11/16: SFPD Officer Albie Esparza confirmed most of the injured have been released from the hospital, but six people are still hospitalized in critical condition this morning. He said there is no new information concerning the crash; the investigation is ongoing.