The incident occurred around 3:09 p.m. near 1351 California Street, between Leavenworth and Hyde Streets.
San Francisco, CA. – Fifteen people were injured Monday afternoon after a San Francisco cable car came to an abrupt stop along California Street, according to the San Francisco Fire Department.
The incident occurred around 3:09 p.m. near 1351 California Street, between Leavenworth and Hyde Streets.
Fire officials said the sudden stop caused passengers inside the cable car to be thrown around.
Emergency crews responded and evaluated 15 patients at the scene. Two individuals were transported to a hospital with minor visual trauma, while 10 others reported bumps and bruises. Three passengers declined transportation, according to SFFD.
The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management reported that crews remained on scene as the incident was addressed, and commuters were advised to expect delays.
As a result of the disruption, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency implemented bus shuttles along the California Cable Car line. Shuttle routes were adjusted throughout the evening to accommodate the closure.
SFMTA later confirmed that bus shuttles would provide service for the remainder of the night. By 8:47 p.m., officials announced that the Powell Cable Car line had resumed normal operations, with Mason and Hyde Street cable cars returning to service.
The cause of the abrupt stop remains under investigation by the San Francisco Police Department.
San Francisco's crash statistics show ongoing challenges despite the Vision Zero goal to eliminate fatalities, with 2024 marking a significant spike in deaths (around 42-41), especially for pedestrians (24 fatalities, highest since 2007), highlighting that safety efforts haven't met goals, with issues persisting for cyclists and pedestrians, while thousands of overall crashes occur annually, indicating a critical need for improved safety measures beyond current implementations. Key Trends & Data Points: Vision Zero Struggles: Launched in 2014 to end traffic deaths by 2024, the city saw its deadliest year in nearly two decades in 2024, with 42 fatalities, failing to meet its target. Pedestrian Dangers: Pedestrian fatalities hit 24 in 2024, the highest since 2007, even as injury collisions decreased, showing a worsening trend for walkers. High Crash Volume: Thousands of car accidents occur yearly, including nearly 15,000 in 2022, underscoring frequent incidents beyond just fatalities. Vulnerable Users: While overall fatalities fluctuate, recent reports show increases in motorcyclist and cyclist deaths, with men disproportionately affected as motorcyclists and cyclists.
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