HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – One person is dead and 11 others were injured Friday when a shuttle bus driver dropping off passengers near a Honolulu cruise ship terminal hit the gas instead of the brake, pinning several people against concrete barriers, first responders said.
Honolulu EMS said a 68-year-old woman was taken to a hospital in critical condition, and police traffic investigators confirmed she later died. There were four others who were seriously injured: A 67-year-old man, a 67-year-old woman, a 55-year-old woman and a 58-year-old man.
The Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii said the woman who died and the four others who were seriously injured are from Illinois, and that they are being offered assistance.
Additionally, a man in his 70s was taken to the hospital in stable condition while six other adults, ranging in age from their 40s to their 70s, suffered minor injures and declined transport.
Multiple EMS units with paramedics and EMTs responded to the scene at Pier 2 about 10:20 a.m.
Honolulu police said the incident happened in a private parking lot when a 57-year-old driver dropping people off and picking others up was notified that his vehicle was moving forward. He jumped into the driver’s seat to stop it, but pressed the gas pedal instead of the brakes.
Florida ER nurse Janet Lightfoot, on a cruise with her mom, jumped into action to help.
The two had just disembarked Friday morning and were waiting for a shuttle to go shopping when they saw a bus with a Hilo Hatties logo heading toward a crowd of people.
“Somebody screamed, and then I looked over and the bus hit into the crowd,” she said.
“It just kept going until it hit the wall there. Big cement block was pushed out and the bus hit into the wall. I ran over and kind of started triaging people and trying to help.”
Lightfoot said she’s accustomed to seeing traumatic injuries, but “this is just different.”
“We’re on vacation. The husband of one of the family members was there and just sad.”
Bystanders said the chaotic scene unfolded in seconds.
“It was shocking,” said witness Mike Frost.
Added Linda Reck, also visiting from Florida, “It just kept going and and my daughter yells out, ‘There’s nobody driving the bus.’ And then poof, it hits the wall.”
Honolulu police said it’s unknown if drugs or alcohol are factors in the crash.
Carnival Miracle issued the following statement about the incident:
Nine Carnival Miracle guests were hit by a shuttle bus in the transportation area outside the Honolulu cruise terminal on Friday morning, April 12. Sadly, one guest has died from her injuries. She was traveling with her husband, who was also injured and is expected to recover. Members of the Carnival Care Team are assisting the guests. Our thoughts are with the guests affected and their loved ones.
