Horse & Carriage Crash in Old City

Woman seriously hurt when horse and carriage turns on its side

A woman was seriously hurt in a horse and carriage crash in Old City Friday afternoon.

Philadelphia firefighters responded to 3rd and Callowhill Streets around 3:45 p.m.

The unidentified victim -- believed to be the driver -- was taken to Hahnemann Hospital in serious condition but is expected to survive, according to officials.

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Witnesses tell NBC10's Denise Nakano that it appears the female driver had lost control of the horse and carriage while going north on N 3rd Street before it flipped over. A witness also says the out-of-control horse shattered a car windshield.

"When I was coming up, I saw the horse jump," said David Williford. "The horse jumped and then it ran into a car, flipped it over and took off."

Police say the carriage hit two cars at 3rd and Callowhill and then flipped on its side.

Ming Tao of Northeast Philadelphia and his aunt were driving the Silver Toyota that received the most damage in the accident. They tell NBC10 the crash happened so fast that they didn't even know what hit them.

"We didn't see the horse coming," said Tao.

The horse and carriage belonged to the 76 Carriage company in Kensington. The manager of the company tells NBC10 the horse involved in the accident is a 9-year-old named Dutch who has been with them for three years. Prior to Friday's events, the manager says the horse had never been in an accident.

While the horse was injured, the animal is expected to survive.

Chopper 10 arrived on the scene to find the carriage on its side with wheels bent in.

It took about two hours to clear the scene.


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