Bicyclist Hit By RTD Bus On 16th Street Mall

DENVER -- A 72-year-old bicyclist is suffering from severe injuries after colliding with an RTD bus on the 16th Street Mall Sunday night.

A passenger on the bus, Julian Swayze, said he heard the driver honk the horn and then felt the bus roll over something at about 9:40 p.m.

"We kind of sideswiped him. We didn't hit him with the front of the bus," Swayze said. "He definitely got run over. We all felt the bus run him over."

Witnesses said the bus driver stopped immediately, and several passengers rushed to help the bleeding man.

"A lot of other people really helped out. They took off their shirts, and someone put their belt around his leg as a tourniquet," Swayze said.

Swayze, who said he is an EMT, said the man lost a lot of blood and tissue from his right thigh.

"He was in pretty bad condition, his thigh was down to the bone. There was a big puddle of blood. All the muscle and everything was worn off," Swayze said.

But Swayze said the man was wearing a helmet, and was conscious and coherent after the crash.

There are signs on the 16th Street Mall that say bikes are not allowed -- except on Sundays -- and that cyclists must ride in the bus lane.

Swayze told 7NEWS he thought the bus driver was going too fast, and didn't try to slow down.

"I remember thinking a few blocks back it felt like we were going faster than normal. I ride the bus every day," Swayze said. "We heard the honk; usually you honk and slow down at the same time, but that didn't happen. He didn't slow down until we stopped."

7NEWS crews saw investigators talking to an RTD employee after the crash, and Denver police examining the bicycle.

The Denver Police Department said its investigation is still in the preliminary stages.

“Potential charges are pending the outcome of the investigation,” said Denver police Detective John White.

White said the bus and the bicyclist were both headed northbound, in the same direction, when the accident happened between Lawrence and Larimer streets.

RTD spokesman Scott Reed said the mall shuttle driver honked at the cyclist, who had drifted into the center, in front of bus.

According to witnesses, the cyclist appeared to hit his brakes but flipped over the handlebars just as the bus passed, Reed said.

"The shuttle driver did hit his brakes but the rear tires came in contact with cyclist's legs," Reed said.

The bicyclist was transported to the hospital, but the extent of his injuries is unknown.

The bus driver is on leave pending the outcome of the investigation, Reed said.