A woman and a one-month-old infant were rushed to the hospital after a crash involving an ambulance at Torresdale and Harbison avenues in the Frankford section of Philadelphia early Sunday, officials said.
The collision happened at about 5:20 a.m., and first responders found both victims unresponsive at the scene, according to authorities.
As reported by NBC10 Philadelphia, medics took the woman and infant to a nearby hospital. Officials did not immediately release details about their injuries. NBC10 footage showed an ambulance resting on its side as crews worked the scene and the roadway was closed. Police told the station the wreck was not a hit-and-run and said an investigation is underway.
How Often Do Ambulances Crash?
Ambulance-involved collisions are relatively uncommon but can be serious. A 2024 MDPI systematic review found a yearly average of roughly 145 collisions in the studies it examined and noted that fatal crashes are more likely at intersections during emergency-mode responses. A NIOSH report via the CDC also found that transportation incidents are a leading cause of death for EMS workers and highlighted restraint use in patient compartments as a persistent safety gap.
What Police Want From the Public
Philadelphia police asked anyone who witnessed the crash or captured video to contact the department's Crash Investigation Division at 215-685-3180 or the tipline at 215-686-TIPS (8477), according to the Philadelphia Police Department. Police said the investigation is ongoing and did not immediately provide further information about the victims' conditions.
