PHILADELPHIA -- At least 38 people were injured early yesterday when a taxicab plunged through the glass front wall of a crowded riverfront-area nightclub celebrating its grand opening, police said.
A Cherry Hill, N.J., man said he was on the dance floor about 12:45 a.m. when the cab seemed to "explode" into the private Club Deco at Front and Spring Garden streets. He said that people were hurled into the air and that at least one person was pinned under the cab.
The injured were taken from the club and rushed to Hahnemann University Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Temple University Hospital, and Frankford Hospital Torresdale Campus.
There were reports of broken bones and head wounds, but none of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening.
Well-dressed patrons of the club stood in shock as they watched police and emergency workers carrying the injured on stretchers through the rubble.
A woman said she was standing at the bar when the cab "flew" into the room. "There was glass everywhere," she said. "It knocked down everything in its path. Tables and chairs were knocked over. There was a loud boom, and then the cab was in the room."
Witnesses said patrons pulled the driver from the cab and beat him before police arrived. When police got to the scene, the cab driver was taken into custody and brought to Neumann Medical Center.
Police said that the taxi was owned by the City Cab Co., and that its accelerator had jammed, causing the car to barrel into the club.
Patrons said the club was so packed and the music so loud that people at first did not realize what had happened. Regulars in the busy waterfront nightclub district said they had never seen such a crowd.
One witness said: "I was standing outside to get my car with my friend standing by me when this cab came swerving around. It virtually ran over her. I think both of her legs are broken."
Linda Bagley of Wynnefield Heights, Pa., 46, said there was mass chaos after the crash, with people clambering over bodies and broken glass to get to the two front doors.
After the cab crashed onto the dance floor, about 15 people tipped it over to try to free people pinned underneath. Patrons grabbed the driver and dragged him out of the car. Two passengers were also taken out of the car by bystanders.
Tracy Jolliot, 24, of Northeast Philadelphia, said she was at the back of the dance floor when a "wave" of people started pushing toward her. She said lights went out and some rafters came down. Then, she said, she was pushed backward. Finally, she said, she raised her hands above her head and was pulled onto a stage by other patrons.