CARTA bus crash in Chattanooga sends 8 to hospital

Friday, January 1, 1904

photo The crash happened just before 12:45 p.m. on Main Street at Reggie White Boulevard.

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A collision between a CARTA bus and a car early Monday afternoon at Carter and West Main Streets sent eight people, including one with serious injuries, to Erlanger hospital.

Two people were in the car, while the bus included the driver and 21 passengers, a Chattanooga Fire Department new release stated.

Firefighters had to use the "Jaws of Life" and other equipment to remove one of the car's occupants, Lt. Jack Babb said in the release.

Chattanooga Fire Department spokesman Bruce Garner said it wasn't immediately clear whether it was the driver or the passenger of the vehicle who was trapped.

One of the people in the car had to be rushed to the hospital with serious injuries, while the other seven taken to the hospital had nonemergency injuries, according to the release.

The large battery from the bus reportedly was thrown into a tree far back from the road.

The tree appeared to be split down the middle, but Garner said it was unclear whether the split resulted from the impact of the battery or if the bus hit the tree before coming to a stop farther down the road.

Most of West Main Street and the exit ramp had to be closed for clean up.

Chattanooga police are investigating the crash.