Ambulance crashes into church in Tri-Taylor; 2 paramedics, patient hospitalized
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A congregation on the West Side is counting their blessings, after a Chicago Fire Department ambulance came careening through the side of their church this morning.
Two paramedics and a patient were inside when the ambulance crashed into the side of Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church, near the intersection of Oakley Boulevard and Harrison Street shortly after 7:30 a.m. All three were hospitalized.
Pastor Autry Phillips said it could have been much worse.
At the corner of two streets that bear his brother and father's names on honorary street signs, Phillips and his congregation watched as a tow truck pulled an ambulance from the side of the 50-year-old church, leaving behind a pile of brick and mortar.
"Buildings we can replace. The fence, we can replace. We cannot replace lives," Phillips said.
He said he first heard about the morning crash from people living in the apartments above their fellowship hall.
One witness said a car was travelling through the intersection with a green light when the ambulance came through with its lights and siren activated, those two colliding before the ambulance hit a third vehicle and looped back 180 degrees into the side of the church.
Phillips said the impact pushed part of the wall inside.
"It's scattered bricks all over the place, unfortunately; drywall all over the place," he said.
The impact of the crash forced a door open inside the church, and flung a table to the other side of the room.
"But the good thing about it is it happened at a time when no one was there. We have our summer youth program; and we thank God that none of our youth were in the building, or were in the parking lot playing basketball, or anything like that," Phillips said.
Chicago Fire Department officials said the two paramedics were treated and in good condition. The patient they were transporting was stabilized.
Phillips said they can still hold service this Sunday, and they'll save every brick; rebuilding on the site that means to this church family.
"We have been here over 50 years. First my dad, and my brother, and now me. We're not going anywhere," he said.
Phillips said they will have to make some changes to the programs that use that fellowship hall, and move them into the sanctuary. As for the people living in the apartments above the fellowship hall, they will have to find new accommodations.