Australian mother-and-son left trapped under a taxi after driver ploughed into pedestrians in horror Christmas Day crash in New York City
An Australian mother and son have been rushed to hospital after a taxi plowed into pedestrians in a horror crash on Christmas Day in New York City.
The 41-year-old woman and her nine-year-old son were among six people injured when the taxi crashed outside the Macy’s department store in Herald Square at around 4pm local time.
The woman suffered head and leg injuries, while her son suffered a cut to his right thigh. Both were rushed to Weill Cornell Medical Center for treatment.
Police confirmed the remaining injured were the 58-year-old driver and three female victims aged 19, 37 and 49, all of whom suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
The yellow cab was traveling north on the busy Sixth Avenue strip full of pedestrians and tourists when it hit the sidewalk.
New York City police said the 58-year-old taxi driver suffered a medical episode shortly before the crash Daily Telegraph reports.
He was taken to hospital in a stable condition for further evaluation. He has not yet been identified and police have not yet made any arrests.
Several bystanders rushed to help the injured pedestrians before emergency services arrived on the scene.
The mother and son were among seven people injured when the taxi (pictured) crashed outside Macy’s department store in New York City on Christmas Day.
Ryan Tucker, 45, whose wife was hit by the taxi, told the local newspaper amNewYork that the wheels of the cabin were still turning when it came to a stop.
“Then we ripped the fender off, pushed the car back and there was a little boy,” Mr. Tucker said.
‘I grabbed him and sat in the corner. Finally, his dad came running over, and then I kind of sat with him and talked to him for three or four minutes just to make sure he was okay.”
Photos from the scene showed significant damage to the front of the cabin.
Several police officers were seen standing next to the vehicle, which was surrounded by police tape. Officers are still investigating the cause of the accident.
A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Daily Mail Australia officials were providing assistance to the mother and her son.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to two Australians in the United States of America,” the spokesperson said.
‘Due to our privacy obligations, we are unable to comment further.’
The yellow taxi (pictured) was traveling north on the busy Sixth Avenue strip that was packed with pedestrians and tourists when it pulled onto the sidewalk
The taxi driver was taken to hospital in a stable condition for further checks and police have not yet made any arrests (crash scene photo)
Herald Square is one of the most popular commercial and shopping areas in Midtown Manhattan.
The area is also just minutes away from the iconic Madison Square Garden.