SEATTLE — Six people were sent to hospitals after a van slammed into a building in the busy Westlake Center shopping district in downtown Seattle.
PHOTOS: Van crashes onto downtown Seattle sidewalk
The crash happened at Fifth Avenue and Pine Street in front of the Gap store shortly before noon Thursday.
Assistant Seattle Police Chief M. Garth Green said according to preliminary information, the van driver suffered a medical condition and lost consciousness. The van jumped the curb, went up onto the sidewalk and struck four pedestrians. A fifth person was struck by glass from windows that shattered when the van hit the store.
Seattle fire says two people were transported to Harborview via Seattle fire medics.
Officials with Harborview Medical Center said Thursday afternoon that one person was left in critical condition and three others were in satisfactory condition.
The man in critical condition needed surgery. As of Friday morning, that man, 28, was in serious condition, according to Harborview. The three other patients, one man and two women, have since been discharged.
The driver, who was not hurt in the crash, was also taken to the hospital to be evaluated. Green said was no indication that the crash was intentional.
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The one passenger in the van at the time of the crash was not hurt and was able to help get the van stopped and turned off.
Video from Chopper 7 showed the Shuttle Express van on the sidewalk in front of the Gap store. The van has major damage to one fender.
Multiple fire engines, police officers and ambulances are at the scene.
Officers are diverting traffic and drivers are asked to avoid the area. The intersection will remain closed while police investigate. See real-time updates below.
Cox Media Group
