> At a Glance
> – A METRO bus careened off a Houston overpass on Jan. 3 after being rear-ended
> – 14 people were hospitalized, one in critical condition
> – Fire crews used the “jaws of life” to free a trapped passenger
> – Why it matters: Commuter safety concerns rise after dramatic highway crash
A routine Saturday afternoon turned chaotic when a Houston METRO bus was struck from behind and sent tumbling off the McGowen Street overpass above Highways 59 and 288 just before 3 p.m. on January 3.
The Collision and Rescue
The impact pushed the bus over the edge, causing it to partially flip and land on the embankment below. Houston Fire Department crews arrived to find one woman pinned inside the wreckage.
HFD Captain Mario Gordon described the rescue:
> “She was in great pain, and we were doing everything to try to comfort her.”
Firefighters deployed the jaws of life and nearly every cutting tool on hand to extricate her.
Casualties and Response
Emergency services transported 14 individuals to area hospitals:
- 13 bus passengers – all with minor injuries
- Bus operator – unharmed
- Car driver – hospitalized in critical but stable condition
The damaged bus was later hauled away from the scene.
Official Statement
A METRO spokesperson praised the multi-agency response:
> “Their coordination and professionalism helped ensure a swift response during a challenging situation. Our thoughts remain with everyone affected, and we appreciate the patience and cooperation of the public as this incident was resolved.”
Key Takeaways
- One person remains in critical condition following the crash
- All other injured parties sustained only minor injuries
- METRO and city crews worked through the night to clear the site
Investigators have not released additional details about what caused the initial rear-end collision.
