7 People Reported Dead After Van Flips off Overpass and Plunges 50+ Feet Near Bronx Zoo
- Posted on April 29, 2012 at 1:49pm by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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Seven people, including three children, died Sunday after their van plunged over the railing of an elevated highway and crashed to the street below near the Bronx Zoo.
A fire department spokesman told the New York Post the van was driving on the Bronx River Parkway at about 12:30 p.m. when it went over.
Police said the van was headed south Sunday afternoon on the Bronx River Parkway. It bounced off the median, crossed all southbound lanes over to the guardrail and fell 100 feet into the yard.
According to the Associated Press, the victims were an 84-year-old man; three women, ages 80, 45 and 30; and three girls, ages 12, 10 and 7, all of whom were in the van.
“It’s terrible, just carnage. The passengers didn’t stand a chance,” a New York Fire Department source told the Post of the scene.
Initial reports said the van fell between 50 and 60 feet.
This post has been updated since it was first published.
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iltws2
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 5:24amThis Bridge was at fault. Was built too high. Need to tear down all bridges and use the Big Dig theory all Bridge crossings across america. This will stop all bridges from killing people and help lower our health care costs. It will also help on our dependency on foreign oil, It takes a lot of gas to climb those tall bridges. American’s need jobs. Has anyone with Chevy Volt tried to climb some of these tall killer bridges yet.
Report Post »objectivetruth
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 10:14amShush.Its New York.Dag nab it don’t give them anymore ammunition PLEASE.We say it sarcastically they actually think it then try an put it place
Report Post »Dr Vel
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 12:36pmThis mans loss should not be in vain. I first started driving on these nightmares in the sky in Phoenix after they finished the work on I-10 and I-17. If you hit a bump or defect in the road you bounce, which gets rapidly worse with speed. The construction is such it is as springy as a drawn bow. Simple mechanics of mass and momentum on a non rigid roadway. The first time I drove it stories high in the air it was terrifying especially as traffic speed was driving, yes forcing you to dangerous velocities. You could not slow down without risking people ramming into you. The structure may appear solid but concrete and steel constructed in this way is very flexible, consider the gigantic bridges swaying in high winds, yes at least one has self destructed due to the flexibility of steel and concrete even when extremely massive. When you combine the weight of a vehicle with the velocity, even a minor slip up or bump can actually launch you airborne. Every place where these roadways exist should be forcing a mandatory safe velocity with extreme enforcement. How many more families will we lose before the words I write here are taken as seriously as this man is taking the loss of His entire family?
Report Post »rlewispitt
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 2:17am@kaosidiot:
Report Post »MOST words can have double meanings, you retatrd. Should we now edit out the word “white” every time it‘s used so that some idiot like you won’t be offended? Let’s make it illegal to paint cars white too, so that won’t offend anyone. Let’s ban all words that can have ANY double meaning that might offend somebody. You remind me of that other idiot that wants the words “illegal immigrant” deemed to be racist when it has nothing to do with someone’s race. It’s total whack jobs like you that are ruining the freedoms of this country. I want to be free and have the liberties that the constitution guarantees me. If you don’t like that, then get the F___ out of my country jacka$$
Kaoscontrol
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 1:11amGet over yourself. The posts are automated to edit certain words that some might find offensive. You just chose a word that can have a double meaning.
Report Post »Apple Bite
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 9:46pmI’m very sorry for the lost of life in this story and for their love ones. I don’t care about the race of the people driving. But something of concern and oft ignored in this story, and others like it, I do care about the age of the driver, and for good reason. Just a gut feeling, the driver was Male, age 84 and I’m betting he had some kind of physical aliment that made him go across said medians eventually plunging the van down that 50+ft drop…
If my guess is correct, I think this country should, yet again, bring about the debate in restricting elderly people’s driving privileges, for theirs and others safety. Many stories just like this one end up with somebody elderly behind the wheel, that lost control and barged through concrete barriers into a crowd of people that were minding their own business, or somebody forgets where they are in traffic and freaks out, frozen stiff and scared for their life.
Report Post »do_it_all_again
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 10:11pmthis terrible accident happened on I95 also
Report Post »http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/13/nyregion/13crash.html?pagewanted=all
do_it_all_again
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 10:15pmthe driver was 45
Report Post »sharke
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 10:16pmThe driver was a 45 year old. And driving like a lunatic, because nobody loses control of a vehicle to that extent and flips it over a guardrail unless they’re driving recklessly. He wiped his whole family out.
Report Post »objectivetruth
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 10:22amElderly drivers shouldn’t have their license restricted simply due to age.What you believe is a safety issue is a loss of rights for no other reason than they have gotten older.What you imply without outside cause is horrible.Was your family part of the instrument that allowed dictators to rise to power in some other land?I’ve got to ask for one simple reason.I can’t believe you would as a american consider removing someones license simply due to age.
Report Post »Look I’ve made plenty of private jokes about the old foxes club.They wait till they are old and kill someone with a car truck.Knowing they are old and can blame it on that.Its a joke though.I wouldn’t ever dream of removing an older persons license simply due to age.Not without some other reason.
Its not just obammacare the seniors should be afraid of.Looking at your post their are other people they should be afraid of and you are one of them.
Dr Vel
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 1:02pm“Just a gut feeling, the driver was Male, age 84 and I’m betting he had some kind of physical aliment that made him go across said medians eventually plunging the van down that 50+ft drop…”
Your gut is as ignorant as you are by only reading the Blaze which throws out stories before getting all the facts. The woman in her mid 40′s was driving. They should take your license away for speaking without the facts.
Report Post »marthasusan40
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 7:59pmMay God hold them in his arms and may he give strength to the family that has to deal with such a tragic loss. IN my prayers….
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 8:46pmAmen, and amen.
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 9:46pm.
Report Post »Illegals?
do_it_all_again
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 9:56pmheres the original story, with actual information and details about why it happened:
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/bronx/seven_dead_after_van_crashes_into_RVIKP6JOaJQW8C7NKeg1rO?utm_source=SFnewyorkpost&utm_medium=SFnewyorkpost
and another article here :
Report Post »http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Bronx-River-Parkway-Van-Crash-Deaths-Bronx-Zoo-149422645.html
rlewispitt
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 7:46pmOnce again, no mention that there was a driver in the van. Somehow it was the van’s fault. The “VAN flips”, the “VAN plunged”, the “VAN bounced off the median”. Why is it so hard for the media to say that somebody DROVE a perfectly good van off a cliff??? I’m still waiting for the media to start blaming these crashes on global warming. They are already starting to blame terrorism on global warming, so why not car crashes? The idiot media strikes again!
Report Post »The Gooch
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 10:03amAccording to the original article (remember, The Blaze doesn’t do much if any of the actual heavy lifting on this site… they just pick and choose what articles to present for comment after having filtered thru the details), the driver was a 45 year old woman who appears to have been driving way too fast, lost control and couldn’t regain it. She flipped the van off the bridge without touching the guard rails. I truly do have sympathy for the family, but this is an object lesson more than it is a random tragedy.
Report Post »Speed limits, road signs, control of emotions… as Homer Simpson would put it, these are all merely suggestions. When you’re driving habits are supported by the likes of a moronic, self-centered cartoon character, you’re more likely to eventually screw the pooch… and whoever is unlucky enough to be with you or in your way.
This is an ugly story. And it’s darkly humorous how the grief mongers on this site assert this is a “bringing in the sheaves” moment that is not open to discussion or consideration. Yes, this is a tragedy… that, by witness report, could have been avoided.
Drive like a maniac, crash like a maniac. I trust none of you on the road. I generally drive the speed limit and slow down in bad weather. And for some reason, this p!sses other drivers off. Always funny how passing a wreck will slow people down… for a bit. The question is, “Do they want a better view or do they recognize speed kills?”
fande3rls
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 6:16pmA very saddening loss of life .
Report Post »imfrzn
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 5:31pmWow, The blaze is full of occupiers today! I‘d hang around but I’ve got to get out of bed, use the toilet, take a shower and get to work. Nothing you’d be interested in!
Report Post »ADNIL
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 5:28pmBe kind to each other. You never know when your number is up. Could be on your way to the beach, or to work. or, maybe in your sleep.
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 5:26pmYou can tell who the most vile posters are based on the vile comments they post. I tell you Media Blathers picks some real winners. I am sure momma is so proud their son and/or daughter grew up to be a loser who finds a way to disparage the deaths of seven people from a car accident and take the Lords name in vain at the same time. You aren’t worth the waste of a prayer, but I will be the bigger person here and pray that God can find one redeeming quality in FoxHole and his side kick and Voter.
God knows they are beyond help.
May God rest the souls of those who died.
Report Post »Taquoshi
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 8:49pmThere are some people who have to leave a comment just to feel important and they usually are the ones that lack compassion and are hostile. Just remember, an empty barrel makes the most noise.
My prayers of comfort for the family members.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 11:49pmThe truth is that the highway there is very narrow, winding, up and down sharp hills, and drivers SPEED thru there like banshees. And the road surface is lousy, with potholes the size of Mooches shoes. And did I mention that drivers SPEED thru there.
Report Post »llotus
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 5:20pmFor some reason……..this story is like red meat thrown to a pack of hiennas. Why? Lotus.
Report Post »imfrzn
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 5:18pmIf you were truly comfortable in your skin you just wouldn’t care about a bunch of people following fables. A true “atheist” would know that there is no real meaning to life. It is just random chance with no accountibility to anyone or anything. So based on this logic get what you can get, squash anyone who gets in your way because tomorrow you die! Should the entire world be lost in your quest it means nothing. After all what is law, love and life other than a competitors opinion. Anarchy is the way of things.
Sad, but this is your doctrine.
Report Post »wingedwolf
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 4:58pmPraying for the families involved.
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 4:52pmThere are some very evil people on here! We have to all start reporting their posts!
Report Post »red_white_blue2
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 5:11pmAgreed-there are some sick people who have opened accounts on this site and needed to be reported as such FoxholeAtheist, VoteRightDammit
Report Post »imfrzn
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 5:27pmRelax. Let em rattle! Just make sure you keep your snake boots on!
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 9:00pmAdolph Hitler would be Proud! The Gestapo number is: …
Report Post »The Gooch
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 9:42amReporting posts you don’t agree with? Perhaps you shouldn’t come into the sandbox if you find it too frightening. Do you want to be an intolerant, wilting flower, or someone who can stand on their own two feet and meet all challenges?
Report Post »Report SPAM. The rest should stand, whether you or I like it or not. Besides, I like knowing who the crazies are.
PoliticiansRCrooks
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 4:15pmwe are human beings!! Stop labeling us by the color of our skin Commie
Report Post »RamonPreston
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 11:01amGod does! Calls black people “canannites.” Isrealites were white.
Report Post »Taxpayer550
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 4:04pmHeart attack!
Report Post »ADENBESTE
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 3:40pmAnytime I see an article like this with little information I wonder why the race of the occupants was not stated. If this was a white on black crime you would know it. A story with very few details usually means the media is being sensitive or tolerant of someone or people.
Report Post »applehill
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 4:11pmI didn’t know that adding the race of people involved with a accident was standard practice. Doesn’t sound like it was some kind of illegal action gone array… Are you just trolling?.. I have a hard time believing this comment is legitimate.
Report Post »PoliticiansRCrooks
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 4:16pmwe are humans beings! Stop labeling us by the color of our skin. Commie
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 4:36pmIn most foreign countries…. it would be 7 Americans drove off a bridge… and they would comment: Stupid Americans!
Report Post »YourVoiceMatters
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 3:31pmHow come they hit the median ? did they have a blow out? did some one cut them off? and they had no where to go? was it bad road conditions like maybe hydroplaning?.. it seems too vague! I mean to have such a dreadful accident..it is probably just me but i just have more questions…than this article answers!
Report Post »TheBurningTruth
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 4:33pmI agree completely! This story lacks any details about what really happened beyond a van crashed and people died.
How were THEY driving? Speeding, weaving, cutting through traffic themselves? Is this a case of road rage? Of all the “things” that happen on the road, speeding is the most common.
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 5:29pmSpeculation, the 84 or 80 year old driving and had heart attack or as stated blown tire?
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 11:19pmLooking at the picture of the van, it does not appear to be blown tires and it was the 45 year old driving from what I understand. Regardless, tragic that all family members died from 3 generations. It almost sounds like some might not have been wearing seat belts or the drop of 50 to 60 ft didn’t matter if seat belts were worn.
Report Post »IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 2:45pmGod be with the family and friends of the victims. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Report Post »imfrzn
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 5:01pmWhat is meant by “God being with” so and so? You can’t possibly believe this accident occured in a vaccuum where now we need to somehow dispatch Him to the scene to clean up the mess. More appropriately you’re prayer should be a request that He use this tragedy to draw the survivors to Himself into either a right relationship or closer walk with Him. “God being with” people, who based solely on an odds likelihood , are not Christian, sounds more like some kind of ineffectual Christian platitude. We live in times where we need to see Him move and not “handled”. In addition, wouldn’t the process of “God” being with someone involve us getting off our backside and filling the void. If you see the hole then God pointed it out to you so that means you likely own the task!
Report Post »hillbillyinny
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 7:34pm@ imfrzn (you’ll might be good and warm “in the next world”!)
@ IMCHRISTIAN stated that “thoughts” would be remembers, and “prayers” would be said for the ‘FRIENDS AND FAMILY of the victims” that said friends and family might be comforted at this time of loss.
Actually God can fill His own “hole” if we ask Him to! Yes, we can help when we know the person or persons, but offer condolences is not foreign to humanity!
You sound like a good social action humanist/Christian. Good try, no prize!
Report Post »imfrzn
Posted on April 30, 2012 at 6:09amSo in the exact same day I have been told I’m going to hell by a Christian and defended God to an atheist. The Christian is the one who bothers me. Why? Because whoever Hillbillyniny is you amaze me to no end. How quick you are to either NOT read or just NOT understand the previous valid point. Here it is slowed way down. Generally, when people experience something as horrific as this it has one of two effects. It either drives folks closer to or farther away from God. The latter should be the focus of your concern. The large point is this. Offering a plattitude like “I’ll sympathize and pray for you“ is the equivelant of ”be warm and be filled”. You accomplish nothing but make yourself feel better meanwhile in the days after(long after you’ve forgotten all about this tradgedy) the survivors continue to battle feelings that may be having the effect of driving them away from God. So here is the challenge to you. If you are compelled to pray for this family, great. Continue to pray for them until God tells you to stop. Whoever the survivors are have long tough road ahead and no doubt will need MANY prayers. In the mean time even if I were a rotten dirt bag bound for hell, where did God instruct you to pile on me??? Wouldn’t the Spirit be telling you to reach out in love and not try to gratify yourself with anger??? In this case your attack would have had the affect of driving a wedge between someone you don’t even know and God. “Faith” is about actions not words.
Report Post »dontbotherme
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 2:40pmAsking for God’s blessing on the families & friends of those killed in this accident. Lord, please have mercy on those who remain in shock & pain.
Report Post »Dougalug
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 2:19pmNewsflash* NYC Mayor M.Bloomberg just announced a proposal to ban all vans in NYC to prevent such accidents from happening again. More news at 11.
Report Post »The Gooch
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 4:26pmSounds about right…. One day someone is going to get around to banning death. It’s scary and somebody ought to do something about it.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 2:19pmAnd… I need to know, because the Lesson is: ?
Grannie4news
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 2:47pmHey Luke would you think it was news if it was your family? You have no heart and there IS more news than just politics.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 4:13pm@GRANNIE…
“I’m Ok; Your OK”… My problems are My problems; Your problems are Your problems… unless you are Narcississtic and transfer Self to other’s and their problems and take them on as your own, which is considered a flaw in a Mental Process… which leads to Guilt about not helping the Hungry in Africa or Asia… which leads to support for Soros and his Open Society of World Socialism.
Stop the Insanity!
Report Post »chazmo
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 4:26pmactually no I wouldn’t want it on the news thank you very much.
Report Post »The Gooch
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 4:30pmBad things happen to (good) people.
Life is fleeting.
If it bleeds, it leads.
Driving is dangerous.
Take your pick. Horrible way to die… but no man’s day is guaranteed.
Report Post »abbygirl1994
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 4:57pmIts obvious LUKERW needs mental health!! I feel sorry for him!
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 8:56pm@ABBY…
Report Post »I am not condemning anyone for their sorrow for others; I simply reject any Fascist Requirement that I feel the same way. And, I gave a book to read… which supports my position!
Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 2:15pmGod be with the surviving family and kin in this time of loss.
Report Post »semihardrock
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 2:01pmThe right thing to do here is for NY Government to draft a Bill to not have more than 5 people driving in a van which is in destination of a zoo. Government should “step in” and prevent these accidents from happening.
Report Post »hatchetjob
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 2:07pmThis is very sad, but I hope they weren’t trying to get in for free.
Report Post »soybomb315
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 2:49pm@semi
Report Post »i was thinking the exact same thing
1956
Posted on April 29, 2012 at 4:41pmYeah, only that might have been the problem… with 5 people or more DRIVING the van, it’s possible that none of them was probably DRIVING it in the same direction, and with no clear direction – hence it went off the overpass.
I think only one person can DRIVE at a time – the others were RIDING in it. But having a law that no more than 5 people can DRIVE a van at the same time would sound like a law New York would propose.
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