6 injured after bus crashes into building in Queens

REGO PARK (WABC) -- A casino bus crashed into a three-story brick building in Queens on Monday afternoon, sheering off a large part of the structure and injuring six people, authorities said.

The Resorts World Casino bus, swerving to avoid hitting a car, struck the building that houses the Law Offices of Landers and Landers on 87-17 63rd Avenue at about 2:30 p.m. in Rego Park. The vehicle came to a stop on the sidewalk behind the building.

The driver of the car has been issued a summons for an improper turn. Police are investigating whether the bus driver attempted to avoid the car as it made a sharp turn in front of the bus at the intersection of 63rd Avenue. and Woodhaven Blvd which made him crash into building.

PHOTOS: Bus crashes into building in Queens

It was nearly dark by the time they pulled the bus out of the three-story building. Neighbors pitched in with police and firefighters to pull passengers out of a side window to safety. One by one, the rattled passengers were lowered to the arms of people on the street.

There were only five people on the bus at the time of the crash, and getting them out did not take long, but the driver was trapped beneath an avalanche of bricks and lumber. Firefighters worked slowly to get him out to make sure he was not seriously injured.

Daniel Kimyagarov was one of the people who helped first with a ladder.

"We put it against the bus - it wasn't really full," Kimyagarov says.

The six people who were injured in the crash were taken to area hospitals. The law office was empty when the bus came crashing through - law books were still seen on the shelves when the bus crashed through the side of the building.

The crash left the whole neighborhood shaken.

"We were terrified - could be any of us," said Irena Ludner.

Fernando Soto watched it all happen.

"I thought there was a medical emergency. That's what I believe," Soto adds.

Investigators have not yet determined what caused the crash.

A spokesperson for Resorts World Casino released a statement after the accident, saying,

"Our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted by today's bus accident. We are cooperating fully with the authorities in the investigation."