911 calls released from Wayne, NJ bus accident that injured man, killed pet dog

WAYNE (WABC) -- Authorities have released 911 calls from a bus accident in New Jersey that injured a pedestrian and claimed the life of his dog.

The man, 60-year-old Al Arpad, was struck by a New Jersey Transit bus in Wayne Dec. 3rd and dragged more than a mile.

He was out walking with his dog Ocean at the time. They were standing on the corner near the NJ Transit park and ride when they were clipped by the bus and pulled underneath.

Wayne police say they initially received a call that the bus may have hit a dog at the Route 23 Transit Center, while a second caller said a person was stuck underneath the vehicle.

A responding officer reportedly saw Arpad's legs dangling when he stopped the bus on Route 23.

In one call to 911, a man says "Hey, I'm on Route 23 and there's a New Jersey Transit bus behind us and it looks like there's a dead body under it being dragged."

He went on to say, "It looks like the police just pulled it over, it's behind me. I was behind the bus when it happened, I didn't realize it was a guy at first, I thought the bus hit a dog, I guess the guy was walking his dog or something. I heard a big thump and saw the dog's body."

A woman who was on board the bus called from the Wayne park and ride, saying she thought that the driver had hit a person and a dog. "I didn't see it myself, my seat mate saw it, but was too upset to make the phone call," the woman said.

It turned out the man was saved because he was caught under the rear axle by shreds of his coat.

Ocean was killed on impact and at first, police thought he was the only victim. They were shocked to later find Arpad under the bus and alive.

Arpad was said to be conscious and alert at the time. He was taken to a hospital and is recovering from non-life threatening injuries.

Authorities say the victim was lucky to survive, but his injuries run from his backside down to the heels of his feet.

The bus moved at normal speed as he was desperately hanging on for dear life. Callers said it seemed like the driver was unaware of the accident.