PHILADELPHIA — An out-of-service Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority trolley derailed, struck a vehicle, and crashed into a historic building dating to 1766 on Thursday night. Three people were injured, although Delia King, the woman who lives in the former Blue Bell Inn at the corner of Island and Woodland avenues was unhurt.
“A SEPTA trolley just went through my living room,” King told WCAU-TV.
A security camera caught the image as the trolley struck the building about 10:45 p.m. A mechanic aboard the trolley suffered non-life-threatening injuries and two people in an SUV struck by the light rail vehicle were also injured.
"A SEPTA trolley just went through my living room." Video shows the moment an out-of-control trolley smashed into a historic Philly building. This is the latest SEPTA crash in recent days. https://t.co/eJVbFfZyOE @RandyGyllenhaal pic.twitter.com/CJHCoV9veV
— NBC10 Philadelphia (@NBCPhiladelphia) July 28, 2023
The trolley had just left the SEPTA Elmwood carbarn, about a half-mile away. It was the fifth crash in a week involving a SEPTA bus or trolley.
“The recent rash of incidents is troubling to us,” SEPTA Chief Operating Officer Scott Sauer said. “We want to make sure that everyone understand the system is safe.” SEPTA’s Chief Safety Officer, Ron Keele, said the agency would perform a safety stand down, reviewing safety and operating rules with its employees.
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