A wheelchair user was left lying on the side of the road after an insensitive New York bus driver failed to help him when he fell while trying to board.
William Romero, who has undergone two leg amputations, was on his way to the hospital for his weekly dialysis treatments when the incident occurred last week.
“I’m not a pigeon or a dog that you just leave on the ground,” he told ABC7. “It’s his responsibility because he has to take me on the bus and lock me up. Sometimes that’s the driver’s job.
Shocking footage captured by a neighbor’s camera on a Brooklyn street shows Romero trying to board an MTA bus on August 31.
The vehicle had to stop before it could reach the curb because a truck parked behind it began opening its doors.
Wheelchair user William Romero was left lying in the street after an insensitive New York City bus driver failed to help him after he fell while trying to board.
But as he tried to roll forward, Romero hit the curb and fell forward out of his seat onto the road.
The driver closed the door and drove away, while a man sitting in the truck ran alongside, unsuccessfully banging on the window to stop the truck.
“How can you leave someone in my condition lying on the ground?” Romero asked.
Fortunately, he was not seriously injured.
He was helped to his feet by the man in the truck, but he scolded the driver for putting the vehicle in the way.
“The truck is not allowed to park here either, because this is for disabled people,” he said.
Double leg amputee William Romero was on his way to the hospital for his weekly dialysis treatments when the incident occurred last week
Despite seeing him fall, the bus driver closed the doors and drove away from the scene of the accident.
The driver has since been removed from service pending disciplinary action.
“This was an unfortunate situation for a customer who could have safely boarded the bus if it weren’t for a truck illegally parked blocking the bus stop,” MTA spokeswoman Amanda Valdes said in a statement.
“We are thankful he was not seriously injured. The newly expanded enforcement of bus cameras will cite vehicles blocking bus stops with fines of up to $250 for repeat offenders to make it safer for passengers to get on and off the bus. This entire incident is being investigated by NYC Transit management.”