Multiple people on board San Francisco cable car injured after it abruptly stops

By Jose Fabian

Over a dozen people on board a San Francisco cable car were injured when it came to a sudden stop on Monday, the San Francisco Fire Department said.

The incident happened at 1351 California Street, between Leavenworth and Hyde streets, around 3:15 p.m.

Fire crews said 15 people were evaluated at the scene for injuries, and two of them were immediately taken to the hospital.

An additional 11 people were transported for what the fire department describes as “minor aches and pains.” The remaining two passengers involved in the incident declined to be taken to the hospital.

Firefighters have left the scene, and the fire department said the scene was left to Muni and the police department for their investigation. 

Rebekah Lankford said the cable car is her main method of transportation, so she went to see the aftermath.

“I ride this line, the California line, about four to five times a day. I’m a disabled rider, so they always take my safety very seriously,” Lankford said.

She said she knows the man who operates the cable car involved in the incident.

“He’s very, very knowledgeable at his job. He is very, very good at his job,” she said.

She told CBS News Bay Area that if the cable car is up and running on Tuesday, she’ll be back on it.

“I hope that there’s no grim light that is shed on the cable cars because of this. Because it’s such a rare occurrence,” Lankford said.