Trimess

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Pedestrian killed by bus in downtown

Not a Trimet bus however

Update: TriMet officials say service is returning to normal through the downtown area. Riders should expect delays until about 9 p.m., according to Mary Fetsch, a TriMet spokeswoman.
A woman described by witnesses as in her mid-20s was struck and killed Sunday by a charter bus near Portland's Greyhound bus station shortly before 4 p.m.
Police remain at the scene, near Northwest Sixth Avenue and Glisan Street, investigating an accident that has disrupted MAX Green and Yellow lines.
Several dozen people lingered behind yellow caution tape ringing a two-block area.
The large white bus, which was turning north onto Sixth from Glisan, remained in the middle of the street at a slight angle.
Portland resident Ken Favela said he had just gotten off a MAX train yards from the intersection when he saw a young woman step into a crosswalk. She had the walk light in her favor, he said, as the bus turned the corner.
View full sizePortland police talk with a man (wearing hat) identified by bystanders as the driver of a charter bus that collided late Sunday afternoon with a pedestrian near the Greyhound bus station. Police are continuing to investigate the incident. 
"The bus just hit her, just ran right over her," he said. "A guy ran up and was banging on the side of the bus, yelling for the driver to stop."
Police have not determined the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Troy Sealy, another bystander, said he saw the same thing. The victim was pulled up under the bus, he said.
"She had time to let out what I can only call a blood-curdling scream," Sealy said. "It was terrible."
The driver got out of the bus once it came to a halt, Sealy and Favela agreed.
"He walked back, looked at where she was and got on his phone," Sealy said.
The bus is owned by Seattle-based MTR Western, according to a statement emailed to The Oregonian by Marka Waechter, the company's CEO.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the victim," the statement read. "This is a terrible tragedy for everyone involved. We are cooperating with local investigators who are gathering the facts of the accident. We will share additional information as soon as it becomes available."
The company's website indicates it has been operating since 2003, specializing in long-distance tours, professional and collegiate sports and corporate shuttle transportation.
No word was available on the route or purpose for this particular bus.
-- Dana Tims  Witnesses to fatal downtown Portland bus crash say scene was 'terrible' | OregonLive.com

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