Calls to 911 reflect desperation at scene of bus crash

PORTLAND, Ore. – Frantic, distraught and frustrated calls for help reached 9-1-1 dispatchers moments after a TriMet bus hit five pedestrians on April 24, recently released audio recordings reveal.

Two of three people who were trapped under the bus died. The third person pinned under the bus was seriously injured. Two others in the group suffered minor injuries.

“My God, I saw it right there in front of me” one man told dispatchers.

“You guys are unable to get her out from underneath the bus?” the dispatcher asks at one point. “We are unable to get her out, she's stuck crammed underneath the bus right now” the caller responded.

“Is there anything I can do just standing here? I mean I don't know what to do,” another caller pleads.

On another call, the sister of a woman stuck under the bus is overcome with emotion and begs for help to be sent while the dispatcher tries to get more information.

“My sister's been hit by a bus, please hurry, she's stuck underneath the bus!” Jamie Hammel, sister of Jenee Hammel, pleads with the dispatcher. Jenee Hammel, 26, died from her injuries.

“Did she just walk out in front of a bus?” the dispatcher asked Hammel.  “Nooo! We were crossing in a crosswalk and she ran a red light and she hit her!” Jamie responded.

Following the incident, a grand jury investigation cleared the driver of homicide charges but she still faces charges for making an illegal turn and other traffic violations.

Investigators think the driver did not see the group of pedestrians on her left as she turned the bus around a corner at Northwest Glisan and Broadway Street. The area is not well-lit at night.

Dispatchers received a total of six calls about the fatal incident.

The video below contains the six calls made to 9-1-1. They have been edited lightly to protect the privacy of the callers. Due to their content, we STRONGLY ADVISE DISCRETION. Content is not suitable for young children.