A news van of Sanlih E-Television (SET-TV) News crashed into a Changhua Bank branch on the corner of Yijiang Street and Nanjing E Road in Taipei yesterday afternoon, injuring 10 people, including three who were being treated for severe injuries at press time last night.
Preliminary investigations conducted by the Taipei City Police Department’s Zhongshan Precinct indicate the truck suddenly picked up speed and rammed into the bank.
The exact cause of the crash remained under investigation.
Photo: Lo Pei-de, Taipei Times
Among the critically injured are a 40-year-old woman surnamed Wu (吳) and a 40-year-old man surnamed Chien (簡), who were both unconscious when they were sent to National Taiwan University Hospital, emergency responders said.
Chien suffered cerebral and hepatic hemorrhage, zygomatic fracture, and collapsed lungs, the hospital said, adding that both patients have since regained consciousness and are
undergoing treatment.
Other injured, included pedestrians, customers and bank staff, suffered cuts and bruises, according to emergency responders, who were alerted at 3:10pm to the incident.
The driver, Lin Ting-fang (林庭芳) sustained light injuries, police said, adding that his alcohol breath test was clean.
Lin was quoted by police as saying during questioning that the engine suddenly revved up, while admitting that he might have also been “spacing out” a little before crashing into the bank.
The Taipei Department of Labor said that to verify the driver’s work schedule, it has asked the employer to provide attendance records, and would arrange labor inspections and interviews for further verification.
Sanlih E-Television News issued a statement yesterday saying that it has dispatched representatives to visit the injured to express its well-wishes, and would assist them and their families with arrangements for medical care and subsequent matters.
The company said it would fully cooperate with police investigations to determine how the incident occurred.
It would also form a task force to conduct a general review of interview and news truck management processes, as well as to look into vehicle safety and maintenance records and driver attendance mechanisms to ensure the safety of the reporting crew, the company said.
Additional reporting by CNA
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
RSS