Car crash sends five people to hospital in critical condition in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO - Five people were taken to the hospital in critical condition, San Francisco firefighters tweeted Tuesday morning, because of an accident involving two mid-size sedans and clipping a third vehicle at Gough and Bush streets.

The accident was reported at 5:30 a.m. and required "Jaws of Life" to extricate the passengers and drivers, according to San Francisco Fire Department Lt. Jonathan Baxter. Three people were in one car and two people were in the other. They are all adults and were taken to a trauma center, Baxter said.

Jim Reed was in the silver SUV and escaped injury. He said he saw the Honda "flying" down Bush Street and running a red light, hitting the sedan, which also struck a light pole.

Police described the event slightly differently. In an email, police said only that the Honda was traveling eastbound on Bush and "made contact" with a Toyota SUV traveling south on Gough. The crash ended up involving a Ford sedan, as well, police said.