Eighteen people were hurt after a SEPTA bus crashed head-on into a support column for the Market-Frankford El Thursday afternoon.
The accident happened just after 3 p.m. at Kensington and Hunting Park Avenues in the Juniata section of the city, according to SEPTA.
The Route 3 bus was traveling southbound on Kensington Avenue when a white van slammed into the front of the bus, sending it careening into the El support, according to police.
The front of the bus was completely crushed and wrapped around a blue support pole which suspends the El over Kensington Avenue.
Firefighters worked quickly to treat the injured. Some passengers were taken away on stretchers, though all involved are believed to have minor injuries, SEPTA said.
The van driver was apparently on a cell phone, according to witnesses. If that proves to be true, it would be quite ironic as the accident comes days after a citywide cell phone ban for drivers went into effect. However, the city has not yet begun enforcing the new law, because they want to better inform the public before writing tickets.
Service on the El was not affected.
Police are continuing to investigate.
