A young girl escaped what could have been a deadly accident after a Mack truck struck her and pushed her underneath the vehicle Friday afternoon in Northeast Philadelphia, according to witnesses and police.
The incident happened near the intersection of Summerdale Avenue and Marcella Street, where security video captured the frightening moment.
In the footage, the girl can be seen walking across the street while looking down at her cellphone. She was carrying a backpack and appeared to be crossing in front of a truck that was stopped at the time.
As she moved in front of the vehicle, the truck began rolling forward. The girl was pushed before falling to the ground and becoming trapped beneath the truck.
Employees at a nearby jewelry store saw what was happening and immediately tried to get the driver’s attention.
Bladimir Gomera, who works at Ivonne Jewelry, said he began waving toward the truck and shouting for the driver to stop. He then ran toward the vehicle to check on the girl.
Gomera said the girl was underneath the truck, with her hair caught beneath one of the tires. Despite the frightening situation, she told him she was OK.
Witnesses said the driver was asked to move the truck slightly so the girl could get herself free. After she emerged, people nearby continued checking on her.
According to the witnesses, the girl remained calm and continued holding her cellphone. They estimated that she was in her mid-teens and said she later walked home.
The video and witness accounts indicate that the driver may not have realized the girl was in front of the truck when it began moving. Witnesses also said there was no traffic light or stop sign at the location where she crossed.
The circumstances surrounding the crash have not been fully established.
Philadelphia police responded after receiving a call about the incident, but the people involved were no longer at the location when officers arrived. Police said the incident remains under investigation.
Witnesses said the girl appeared to have escaped with only minor injuries, including what they described as a few scratches. Her identity has not been released, and authorities have not publicly provided a detailed medical assessment.
For people who witnessed the incident, the outcome was difficult to believe.
Joe Kaminer, who lives nearby, said he was surprised after seeing the security footage and described the girl’s survival as a miracle.
Gomera also said he believed the situation could have ended much differently.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details about the girl’s condition and the circumstances of the crash could emerge as authorities continue reviewing what happened.
