UPDATE: Emergency on southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct

11:48 PM: The emergency response that is backing up southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct traffic right now involves a C Line bus driver, according to Jon, who e-mailed us right after someone else texted about the traffic situation. He says his wife was on the bus and reported that the driver had a medical emergency, possibly a heart attack, right after the bus got onto the Viaduct from Columbia. The call is on the SFD log as a “med 7 response” (major medical situation) but there’s been no official information yet. If you are headed this way, avoid SB 99 for now.

12:06 AM: Still nothing official on this, not even a traffic alert, and nothing on the scanner, so we are not likely to be able to get followup information until tomorrow. The closest traffic cam shows traffic moving, slowly, southbound just north of the scene, with police-car lights visible.

12:38 AM: That traffic cam shows the emergency response has cleared, as has traffic.

FRIDAY, 3:30 PM: Metro reports that the driver died, and that passengers took heroic action both to try to save him, and to get the bus under control. Here’s their news release.

9 Replies to "UPDATE: Emergency on southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct"

  • Z November 18, 2016 (12:00 am)

    Traffic is turned around to exit on the Columbia street on ramp, with a small but serious backup on the bridge.

  • Eric November 18, 2016 (12:33 am)

    Everything is clear now.  Medic 1 took driver to Harborview and bus was moved off the viaduct with passengers moved to another C line coach   

    • WSB November 18, 2016 (12:39 am)

      Thanks, I just noted the scene was clear after checking the video feed for the southbound AWV at King. Appreciate the details. Hope to be able to find out from Metro tomorrow how the driver is doing.

  • miws November 18, 2016 (8:16 am)

    Healing Thoughts for the driver.

    Mike

  • Kathleen November 18, 2016 (9:20 am)

    My husband was on the bus and said it was a pretty traumatic situation and the condition of the driver was quite serious. Metro/law enforcement didn’t take any passenger information so if there is any update we sure would appreciate it

    • WSB November 18, 2016 (9:45 am)

      I already have an inquiry out to Metro’s media liaisons and they are working on it – will update this once that info is in – TR

  • KMS SEA November 18, 2016 (11:15 am)

    Not sure if this is related at all but my husband was driving on the viaduct 30 minutes ago and counted at 14 cars involved in a chain reaction accident.

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