At about 11 am Thursday last week, a Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA) bus driver jammed on his brakes to avoid hitting a young woman who ran across the road pushing a bicycle, at Bend-in-the Road Beach in Edgartown. The sudden stop sent passengers flying and resulted in 12 people being transported to Martha’s Vineyard Hospital with various injuries, none serious, according to Edgartown police.
The injuries included bumps, lots of bruises, head lacerations and some possible broken bones, according to police. Edgartown police, firefighters, and EMTs responded to the accident scene near the popular beach.
Angela Grant, VTA administrator, told The Times the number 13 bus was traveling from Oak Bluffs to Edgartown with a full load of passengers, many of whom were standing. The bus was equipped with a video camera that captured the incident.
The driver had just passed by another VTA bus and a string of cars traveling in the opposite direction when the woman appeared. “She popped out right behind the last vehicle,” Ms. Grant said. “She didn’t look both ways.”
Ms. Grant said fortunately a veteran driver at the wheel reacted quickly and stomped on the brakes.
Ms. Grant said the driver saved the young woman’s life. “The video is very complete in that respect,” she said.