A car crashed into a Texas hospital Tuesday night, killing the driver and injuring five people in the lobby, including a child who is now fighting for his life, authorities said. .
The sedan crashed into St. David’s North Austin Medical Center at around 5:38 p.m. local time, ending up in the emergency room lobby (pictured). Retrieved by KXAN show.
Austin Fire Department Chief Thayer Smith said at a news conference outside the hospital that the driver was extricated from the vehicle by the fire department and given CPR by both hospital staff and paramedics, but was ultimately killed at the scene. He was confirmed dead.
Austin police said based on preliminary information, the collision does not appear to be intentional.
Five people, including two adults and two children, were injured in the accident and were taken to another hospital for treatment. A fifth person was treated at the scene.
One child was rushed to Dell Children’s Hospital with serious, potentially life-threatening injuries, and one adult was transported to Round Rock Medical Center with serious, potentially life-threatening injuries.
Another adult and child were transported with non-life-threatening injuries, Austin-Travis County EMS personnel said.
The wreck also disrupted hospital emergency room services that night.
The eight people who were being treated inside the St. David’s Hospital ER at the time of the crash have been transferred to other medical facilities for treatment while authorities assess the scene and the hospital says it can “better reorganize.” ” said the facility’s chief medical officer.
Chief Medical Officer Dr. Peter DeYoung said at a news conference that the emergency department had stopped accepting patients transported by ambulance or EMS because of the incident, but walk-ins were still allowed.
“Obviously, this is a big deal…We want to regroup here and see where the morning goes,” DeYoung said, adding that he has set up a separate entrance for triage. Ta.
Fortunately, there was no major damage to the building and it “appears to be in good condition.”
Damage was mainly limited to the exterior doors of the building, and a water tank in the lobby was also destroyed. DeYoung said departments other than the ER have not been affected.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the crash, but have not released details on the cause.
