Student hit by bus undergoes surgery

A College freshman is in intensive care after being hit by and trapped under a SEPTA bus Friday, Assistant Vice Provost for University Life Barbara Cassel said yesterday. Christopher Colna, a Quadrangle resident, was hit by the bus after he was allegedly thrown into the street by a man attempting to rob him Friday afternoon on 11th Street between Poplar and Parrish streets. Colna underwent 14 hours of surgery yesterday at Hahnemann Hospital for his injuries, which include a broken back, a broken arm, a punctured lung, a punctured kidney and four broken ribs, said Drexel University freshman Stacy Lutkus, a friend of Colna's. Cassel said yesterday afternoon that although Colna's injuries are serious, they are not life threatening, adding that "he is expected to recover fully." This morning, doctors at Hahnemann put plates in his arm and metal in his back to "stabilize his injuries," Cassel said. Lutkus said Colna will have to remain in the hospital for at least two and a half months. She added that he will have to wear a neck brace for some time after he is released. Colna was in Center City Friday to pick up a vacuum when a man, who asked him for money, began following him. The man was very persistent, Lutkus said, and repeatedly asked Colna for spare change. In between Poplar and Parrish streets, the man revealed a weapon to Colna, Lutkus said. "The guy told Chris, 'You know I was going to shoot you back there, but I'm not going to. I'm going to have to ask you for your money,' " Lutkus said. Lutkus said Colna told her he did not know what to do, but decided to stall for time. "He told me the last thing he saw was a big SEPTA [bus]," Lutkus said. "He was awake through the whole thing." Lutkus said that once the bus hit Colna, he was dragged a short distance. Then, after running over his arm twice, the bus stopped on his leg. She added that Colna had to wait for 20 minutes for the rescue squad to come, but said his leg was not broken. Lutkus said she has been to see Colna everyday and said he has been improving. "He's been conscious, he's been joking around and he's been making fun of the nurses," Lutkus said. "He was really scared of his surgery." Lutkus said students who want to help out should send him a card or give him a phone call because "he gets really lonely during the day." Hahnemann Hospital, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority and Philadelphia Police were unavailable for comment last night. Cassel said SEPTA Police are investigating the incident.

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