A busy thoroughfare became a nightmare on Tuesday, April 30.
A Metro light rail train collided with a University of Southern California shuttle bus, resulting in injuries to at least 55 people, including two in critical condition. The accident occurred around noon on Watt Way and Exposition Boulevard in the Exposition Park neighborhood.
The Los Angeles Fire Department reported that the shuttle bus crossed into the path of a southbound Metro E Line train.
The Starcraft 40-passenger bus was traveling westbound on Exposition Boulevard when it crossed paths with the Metro train, which was transporting more than 150 passengers. Fire officials noted that the two most critically injured people were on the bus: the driver and the sole passenger. Both were transported to a local hospital. According to an LAFD statement, “Multiple train passengers are reporting minor injuries.”
The LAFD established triage areas at the scene to evaluate the injured. Of the 55 people affected, LAFD Captain Adam Van Gerpen said, “We have a total of 18 transported — 16 from the train and two from the shuttle.” Those on the train were in fair condition. The remaining 37 were treated and released at the scene.
The shuttle bus had significant damage to its front section, while the Metro train’s windshield was visibly cracked.
Genesis Hernandez, a 19-year-old witness, was nearby when the accident occurred. According to her, the bus “definitely got crunched on its front end,” while the train “didn’t look too damaged.”
Service on the E Line was disrupted between Expo-Vermont and Jefferson-USC stations. A bus bridge was set up to transport passengers through the affected area, and the train operated on a single track in the crash area for several hours after the collision.
Metro’s spokesperson, Dave Sotero conveyed the agency’s sympathies, stating, “Metro offers its sympathy to those injured in the accident.”
The Los Angeles Police Department is leading the investigation into the crash.