New Jersey Teen aboard Double-Decker Party Bus Gets Head Smashed on Overpass
Occupants aboard a double-decker party bus on the way to celebrate a sweet 16 party in New Jersey were sprayed with blood when one of their colleagues, allegedly stuck out, then smashed his head against a highway overpass near the George Washington Bridge. Authorities rushed the boy to the hospital where he died Friday evening, soon after the accident.
SKYLINE OF UPPER MANHATTAN LOOKING ACROSS THE HUDSON RIVER TO NEW JERSEY. ON THE RIGHT IS THE GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE – NARA – 548317 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Port Authority Steve Coleman said that Daniel Fernandez, a 16-year-old boy from Sayreville, was aboard a party bus with other of his friends near George Washington Bridge that connects Manhattan with New Jersey over the Hudson River when he stuck his head out of a an emergency latch roof. They were aboard as “the largest custom made party bus in the country,” according to Designer Transportation where all of the teens were checked for alcoholic beverages.
Loaded with 65 teenagers, the bus was New Jersey bound from Queens, New York and had just passed the George Washington Bridge when Fernandez was on the top level of the double-decker bus. As the bus approached the underside of an overpass, he stuck his head out and it was struck, Coleman said.
Blood sprayed everywhere and stained articles of clothing worn by the teens. Colemans’ comment regarding the situation did not go further than stating the teen had suffered severe head trauma.
Leon Tyrone McKivor a 52-year-old and off-duty emergency medical technician was in the area when the accident happened and offered to lend his assistance to those aboard the bus and their parents. He escorted worried parents to a nearby police station where their children were waiting, according to CNN.
“One individual had on a blood soaked shirt that he refused to take off until police insisted that he change,” McKivor told CNN. “A number of other individuals had blood all over them, as well.” He said he tried to console Fernandez’s mother. “She was just crying and crying and hugging me and thanking me,” he said.
Fernandez was transported to Hackensack Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, said hospital spokeswoman Nancy Radwin.
Designer Transportation released a statement, to express thier sympathy for the teen’s family. “Our company cares about the wellbeing of our patrons,” the statement said.
Company spokesman Todd Shapiro said there was no alcohol aboard and that security had checked passengers beforehand.
The accident is still under investigation.
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Reviewed by Chris H. in 2012.