A pedestrian attempting to cross at the intersection of Walnut and 40th streets was struck by a SEPTA bus yesterday afternoon.
According to Penn Police officials, the pedestrian was hospitalized with minor injuries.
At approximately 2:25 p.m., the Route 30 bus -- which was running westbound from 30th St. Station to the 69th St. Terminal -- was turning right onto Walnut St. from 40th St. and apparently struck the crossing pedestrian in the middle of the street.
Emergency personnel arrived on the scene shortly after the incident. The victim, about whom nothing else was known at the time of publication, was fitted with a neck brace, placed on a stretcher and loaded into an ambulance.
The driver of the bus refused to comment on the incident.
The bus remained stopped halfway through its turn for about 10 minutes after the accident while police surveyed the scene and spoke with the driver.
The stopped bus obstructed Walnut Street, forcing traffic to stand still. Penn Police rerouted vehicles on Walnut back to 39th Street until the bus pulled to the side of the street, allowing cars to get through.
SEPTA spokesman Gary Fairfax confirmed that the transit agency, which operates 114 bus lines in Philadelphia and four surrounding counties, was aware of the incident, saying that the accident is "under investigation."
SEPTA spokesman Jim Whittaker said that drivers involved in such incidents are normally put off duty and must undergo testing for drugs and alcohol. He added that while the outcome depends on the nature of the accident, drivers usually return to duty when the test results become available.
Penn Police officials said that they are investigating the incident but were able to provide few details yesterday afternoon.
Some students feel that the streets around Penn are hazardous for pedestrians.
"I'd say [streets are] a bit dangerous because the cars don't really stop for you, you have to stop for them," May Saung, an Engineering senior, said.
Wharton freshman Philip Morgan disagreed, however.
"I think [streets are] pretty safe unless you are not paying attention or you do something stupid," Morgan said.
Staff writer Vince Levy contributed to this report.
