A frightening scene unfolded in the Bronx Monday afternoon as panicked passengers cried out in fear aboard a Bx6 bus that lost control in Longwood, slamming into several vehicles over a five-block stretch before coming to a stop just before a major intersection.
Cops say the bus driver reported losing control as she approached Cauldwell Ave. near the Forest Houses at around 2 p.m. Monday afternoon. The bus, No. 1040, collided with at least one car near the intersection of 163rd St. and Tinton Ave. and continued traveling more than a block before coming to a stop shortly before the intersection of Prospect Ave.
A passenger on the bus told the Daily News the bus seemed to be experiencing mechanical problems.
“It started going a little bit speedy,” he added, “She [the driver] had to crash to slow the bus down.”
The man was sitting near the back of the bus when the collision occurred. Video he shot on his phone shows him gripping the handrail as another passenger can be heard shouting, “Oh my God!”
The video shows the bus continuing to travel down 163rd at speed for most of the block between Union Ave. and Prospect Ave., coming to a halt right before the intersection.
With passengers lined up to exit the bus by the rear door, the passenger who shot the video can be seen hopping down to the street through a window.
“That was crazy,” a voice can be heard saying.
What the f–k, bro?”
Police said the bus driver and six others were transported to a nearby hospital with minor injuries.
The MTA did not immediately comment on the maintenance history of bus No. 1040 Monday afternoon. A spokesman said the incident remained under investigation.
with Colin Mixon
