Coincidental accidents snarled traffic around The New School after a raised manhole cover disabled a sightseeing bus and an MTA bus got caught in a sinkhole about a block from the University Center Wednesday afternoon.
First, a southbound Big Bus New York sightseeing bus full of passengers ran over the manhole cover in the middle lane of Fifth Avenue between 12th and 13th streets which appeared to dislodge its engine and disable it about 1 p.m., according to the driver.
The driver heard a loud thump and then his engine died right after, the driver said. When he exited the bus to see what happened, he found the bus’ rear-mounted engine on sitting on the unpaved asphalt.
“I was scared for my life” the Big Bus driver said jokingly.
The Big Bus had been waiting for a tow truck for about three hours when an M1 MTA bus packed with passengers was passing it on the right but got its rear right tire trapped in a deep sinkhole, the Big Bus driver said.
There were no reported injuries in either incident, according to FDNY officials.
Following the incident, traffic up Fifth Avenue to the 14th Street intersection was backed up and cars were being diverted around the scene.
The MTA driver tried to maneuver the bus out of the hole, but was unable.
The stretch of Fifth Avenue where the accidents occurred has been unpaved since early March, according to a university security guard who works nearby.
Just over two years ago a water main broke just a block away from the bus incident. It’s unclear if the road was deconstructed to perform work on those pipes.
The MTA did not respond to the New School Free Press for comment.
Ayo Keys is currently earning a dual degree in Fashion Design and Journalism + Design at The New School. Born and raised in West Philadelphia she enjoys thai food, large issues of Vogue, anything rose gold and knitting. She has an obsession with art direction, well designed fonts and hopes to one day become a Creative Director.
