Tragedy Strikes as Vehicle Crashes into St. David’s North Austin Medical Center
AUSTIN, Texas – In a shocking turn of events, a vehicle crashed into the St. David’s North Austin Medical Center on Tuesday, resulting in the death of one person and injuring five others. The incident occurred in North Austin, prompting a rapid response from emergency services.
Emergency personnel, including the Austin Fire Department, Austin-Travis County EMS, and the Austin Police Department, swiftly arrived at the scene after receiving reports of a vehicle crashing into the Emergency Room of the medical center. The incident was classified as a Level-4 Mass Casualty Incident (MCI), indicating a significant number of patients involved.
The response from emergency services was nothing short of remarkable. A fleet of eight ambulances, four commanders, medical officers, medical directors, paramedics, division Chiefs, and a public information officer quickly mobilized to address the situation. The driver of the vehicle was extricated by the Austin Fire Department and received CPR but tragically succumbed to their injuries and was pronounced dead in the ER.
Initially, there were reports of ten patients being prepped for transport to nearby hospitals. However, this number was later revised to five patients discovered at the scene. Among them were two pediatric patients and one adult who were rushed to Dell Children’s Medical Center. One of the pediatric patients was in critical condition. At 7:03 p.m., a second adult was transported to Round Rock Medical Center in critical condition. The fifth patient received treatment onsite at the emergency department.
Dr. Peter D. Young, Chief Medical Officer of St. David’s North Austin Medical Center, expressed his admiration for the swift response from all first responders. He remarked on the overwhelming sight of vehicles and personnel already caring for those affected. While tragic, it was heartening to witness such dedicated efforts under dire circumstances.
The building itself remained structurally sound, with no impact on the hospital’s operations outside of the emergency department. This allowed medical staff to continue providing essential care to patients.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott expressed his condolences and pledged full support to the affected individuals and the community. He assured that state personnel are working closely with local officials to ensure all needs are met. Councilmember Leslie Pool, representing the district where the incident occurred, commended the first responders for their quick action and expressed gratitude for their assistance in securing the scene and redirecting patients to alternative facilities.
The Austin Police Department’s Vehicular Homicide Unit is currently investigating the cause of the crash. Preliminary information suggests that it was not an intentional act, and there is no ongoing danger to the public.
As this story continues to develop, updates will be provided as additional information becomes available. Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones during this difficult time.
