UPDATE: The MTA denied reports that 25 passengers were injured; said only 17 people were on board the bus, six injured including the bus driver.
Metro’s original story is below.
Shortly after 7 p.m. Monday night, the driver of a BxM18 bound for Riverdale lost consciousness at the wheel while driving northbound on Madison Avenue at 80th Street, CBS reported.
Passengers realized what was happening as the bus sped up suddenly and swerved to the right, hitting multiple cars and rear-ending a taxi stopped at a red light.
Two passengers were able to take control of the bus, bringing it to a stop.
Passengers were trapped until the fire department was able to pry open the doors, allowing the uninjured to leave and letting paramedics in to treat 20 of the 25 injured.
Five passengers were taken to Lenox Hill Hospital with more serious injuries, including the bus driver and the driver of an SUV wrecked when the bus careened out of control.
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