Woman’s foot severed in Manhattan pedestrian accident

Manhattan is as busy with pedestrian traffic as it is with taxi cabs. When the two collide in a tragic accident, the consequences can be horrifying. Last week, a 23-year-old tourist from the Great Britain was enjoying a hot dog that she had just bought from a street vendor in Manhattan when tourism turned to tragedy. According to reports, the driver of a nearby taxi lost control, jumped a curb and hit the woman.

The collision left the woman with a severed foot. Those who came to her help reported that the woman was conscious during the whole incident. Besides the grizzly nature of the pedestrian accident, the crash also made news because television show host Dr. Mehmet Oz came to her aid. In a message on Facebook, he explained that he was in a meeting in Rockefeller Center and heard the accident happen on the street below. He also said a New York plumber quickly helped the woman by removing his belt and using it as a tourniquet. After first responders arrived, the woman, as well as her foot, was taken to Bellevue Hospital.

Although the accident is still under investigation, New York Daily News reports that the 24-year-old driving the cab allegedly argued with a bicyclist and then lost control of his taxi. The news article also alleged that the cabbie may have been an unauthorized driver. These types of facts, when verified by officials, will be important to consider if the injured woman plans to file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver.

Source: EOnline.com, “Dr. Oz Rushes to Help Woman Who Lost a Foot in Cab Accident, Applauds “Heroic” Plumber Who Saved the Day,” Natalie Finn, Aug. 20, 2013