A 19-year-old Cincinnati woman was struck by a bus crossing the street at the intersection of South Court Street and Park Place yesterday, but did not suffer any life-threatening injuries.
About 3:15 p.m., Samantha Reidy’s college visit took a turn for the worse when she was struck by an Ohio University CATS bus while crossing the street. Reidy was rushed to the emergency room at O’Bleness Memorial Hospital.
Eyewitnesses said Reidy was distracted while crossing the street and the bus driver failed to see her crossing. The bus struck her ankle, leaving her unable to stand.
“She could talk but not get up,” said Shoko Igarashi, an OU student who saw the accident. Igarashi ran to get help from Baker Center staff while nearby students called 9-1-1.
Several students remained by Reidy’s side to help while they waited for authorities to arrive. Among them were OU students Liza Schumacher and Allison Moore, who had only met Reidy that day.
Reidy was on a college visit with her grandparents, they said.
As the paramedics arrived, her grandparents rushed to her side to offer support while Baker Center staff attempted to keep the growing crowd away from the scene.
“We’re rooting for you,” Schumacher said as Reidy was lifted onto the stretcher.
Reidy’s injuries did not appear life threatening, states an Athens Police Department news release. There is no word yet on whether Reidy plans to attend OU in the fall of 2012.
wh092010@ohiou.edu
— An earlier headline for this story incorrectly identified the woman as a high-school student. According to Samantha Reidy's Facebook profile, she is studying at University of Cincinnati Clermont College.
