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Taxi Slams Into Newstand Trying To Avoid Ambulance

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Five people were injured after a taxi cab smashed into a newstand in the Flatiron District while trying to avoid an FDNY ambulance Wednesday morning.

The accident happened at Park Avenue South and East 23rd Street just before 9 a.m.

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1010 WINS' Juliet Papa reports

Officials say the cab lost control trying to avoid the ambulance and ended up smashing into the newstand located on the southwest corner -- knocking the stand off its base.

"All of a sudden it couldn't stop, lost control, and hit the stand," a witness, who said the cabbie had the light, told 1010 WINS' Juliet Papa.

The FDNY said the ambulance, travelling west on 23rd Street, was responding to a call.

The newstand operator was inside of the stand at the time of the accident and his son said his father may have broken his legs.

"Somebody called and said 'Your dad got into an accident, just get over here,'" the newstand operator's son said. "So I came right away."

A witness said the newstand operator came out of the stand but couldn't walk and had to be carried out.

The operator of the newstand is well-known in the area.

"He's been here for at least 10 years," one man said. "It's a shame."

Four other people suffered non-life threatening injuries.

Sneakers were on the sidewalk at the scene along with blood and broken glass.

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