MILWAUKEE — A 30-year-old man is in critical condition and three others are injured following a crash involving a Milwaukee County Transit System bus and a Bell ambulance Tuesday afternoon.
The Milwaukee Fire Department said the crash happened at 54th and Villard. According to Bell Ambulance, the ambulance was parked at the curb with its emergency lights on when it was struck from behind by the bus. The collision flipped the ambulance onto its side.
Police say the bus driver was the only occupant of the bus and sustained non-fatal injuries.
An occupant of the ambulance, a 30-year-old man, is in critical condition.
Two other occupants of the ambulance sustained non-fatal injuries. They were all transported to a local hospital for treatment.
MCTS issued the following statement: "MCTS is cooperating with MPD as it investigates a serious accident involving an MCTS bus and an ambulance. Everyone at MCTS is following the situation closely as details emerge. Our hearts go out to all involved."
Bell Ambulance Director of Operations Chris Anderson also sent a statement: “We appreciate the outpouring of support from the community. One of our EMTs has been released from the hospital. Unfortunately the other EMT is still in critical condition.”
William Xiong told TMJ 4, he was sitting in his living room near 54th and Villard when he heard ambulance sirens.
"I heard the ambulance come they parked over there," Xiong said. "Two people in the ambulance went inside the house to get the patient."
He said what happened next was shocking.
Video from his neighbors ring doorbell shows a Bell ambulance with its lights on, parked on the street. The camera didn't catch the actual crash, but rather what happened after. The ambulance on its side and an MCTS bus stopped in the middle of the road.
Video shows the front window of the bus smashed and debris scattered across the road.
Crews with We Energies were also on scene to replace a power pole damaged in the crash. A spokesperson told us the company shut off power to a number of customers to safely replace the power pole.
