Fifteen people were injured when a San Francisco cable car made a sudden stop on Dec. 15, prompting a yellow alert and multiple ambulance responses. Two passengers were taken to hospitals with minor visible trauma, ten reported bumps and bruises, and three declined transport. Witnesses described riders being thrown inside the car and one man bleeding from his head and neck. The SFPD Accident Unit and SFMTA are investigating, and bus substitutions served the route while officials review safety procedures.
15 Injured After San Francisco Cable Car Abruptly Stops; Passengers ‘Thrown in the Air’
Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle via GettyBroken windows are seen on a cable car stopped in San Francisco at the scene where multiple people were injured after a cable car suddenly came to a stop on Monday, December 15, 2025
Fifteen people were injured when a San Francisco cable car made a sudden, hard stop on Dec. 15, leaving multiple riders shaken and prompting a multi-hospital response.
The San Francisco Fire Department said it received reports at about 3:09 p.m. of passengers being “tossed around inside the cable car” on the 1300 block of California Street between Leavenworth and Hyde. A yellow alert was declared to notify hospital partners and medical units of a potential large number of victims.
Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle via GettyA cable car sits on California Street as SFMTA members work alongside at the scene where multiple people were injured after a cable car suddenly came to a stop on Monday, December 15, 2025, in San Francisco
Injuries, Response and Transport
First responders evaluated 15 people at the scene. Two patients were immediately transported to hospitals with what officials described as minor visible trauma. Ten others reported bumps and bruises, and three declined transport. The department said nine transport ambulances were used and patients were taken to San Francisco General Hospital, California Pacific Medical Center (Van Ness), Saint Francis, Saint Mary’s and Kaiser facilities.
Eyewitness Account
“We were just on our way uphill and then it genuinely just, like, stopped really hard,” 20-year-old Willa Meade of San Francisco told The San Francisco Chronicle. “Everyone just flew in the air and started screaming.”
Meade said she saw at least one man “bleeding from his neck and head and shouting for help.”
Lea Suzuki/San Francisco Chronicle via GettySFMTA members work alongside at the scene where multiple people were injured after a cable car suddenly came to a stop on Monday, December 15, 2025, in San Francisco
Investigation and Service Impact
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) and the San Francisco Police Department Accident Unit have opened an investigation into the mechanical and operational circumstances that caused the abrupt stop. The SFMTA posted on X that passenger safety is its top priority and that it will conduct a full review of incident details.
For the remainder of the day, bus substitutions served the affected cable car route, including service adjustments to the 1 California line. Riders were advised to monitor real-time alerts from @SFMTA_Muni for updates.
Authorities said they remain in contact with hospitals and are coordinating care for the injured. Further updates are expected as investigators complete their review.
