Muni accident: Bus fells live wires on Market Street

Three people were injured when a Muni trolley bus snapped seven live electrical lines at Market at Fifth streets during the Monday evening rush hour, authorities said.

The 4:07 p.m. incident forced the closure of Market between Third and Eighth streets and part of Fifth Street, snarling downtown traffic. Crews were unable to shut off live downed electrical lines until just before 5 p.m., and the street remained closed until 7:20 p.m., according to Muni spokesman Paul Rose.

Witnesses described hearing a loud, explosive noise when the accident happened.

Initial reports were that the “hub” mounted on the 5-Fulton trolley’s pole became detached and snapped live wires as it fell from the bus, authorities said.

One pedestrian, a woman in her 20s, was hit by a wire, said Fire Department spokeswoman Mindy Talmadge. That pedestrian and another person were taken to St. Francis Memorial Hospital. The nature of their injuries was unclear, but Talmadge said neither was badly hurt.

Rose said a third person had also been taken to a hospital. He said two victims had been treated and released.

He said Muni was still investigating the accident on the northbound trolley and had no tentative cause of the failure that led to seven 600-volt wires hitting the ground. He said repairs on the line continued into the evening, leading to the delay in reopening Market.

“We’re working to investigate the specific cause — this is an inconvenience to our customers, and we’re working to repair this as soon as possible,” Rose said.

One victim, a pedestrian who apparently is a tourist, was helped by a San Francisco man after being hit by one of the wires.

“I heard a pop and saw one man under the wire,” said Hilton Holcomb, 57, who was crossing Fifth at the time of the incident. “I saw sparks and the fire coming through. I pulled him to the side of the road.”

Holcomb said the man was conscious but was shaking and complaining that he felt like his hands were on fire.

“I’ve seen these wires fall before,” Holcomb said, “but I’ve never seen one with explosions and fire.”

Yue Wu / The Chronicle Workers repair cables felled in an incident involving a Muni 5-Fulton bus that hurt three pedestrians at Market and Fifth streets during evening rush hour.