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Pope Francis Leaves Washington D.C.; Fatal Collision Between Boat And Charter Bus On Aurora Bridge In Seattle. Aired 3:30-4p ET

Aired September 24, 2015 - 15:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


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[15:34:23] BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN ANCHOR: I'm Brooke Baldwin and you're watching the unfolding of a fatal scene here on this bridge. This is the Aurora Bridge in Seattle, Washington, area. It's 12:34 local time there. This has been a fatal collision between, as you can see, a duck boat and a charter bus. At least two people have been killed as a result of this. Multiple other injuries, nine of whom are critical. We just heard in an interview between the spokesperson for this hospital. It's taking in a number of those injured with a local reporter. Let's listen.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER: Ambulance after ambulance pull up here and triage team is being prepared to take in the injured. And I have Susan Gregg with me from Medicine in HARBORVIEW.

Sudan, how many patients so far have been brought here?

[15:35:05] SUSAN GREGG, HARBORVIEW MEDICAL CENTER: We have six patients that have arrived and we're expecting five more. And I know six patients are critical right now. They are in the emergency department at HARBORVIEW and they are being assessed and, you know, we will do a full workup on each one and we will have more information as time progresses.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER: Now, I saw more than that come in here because I saw sometimes two per ambulance. Where did the other patients go?

GREGG: Well, as the disaster control center for the area, we triaged ten other patients to other hospitals with less serious injuries. So HARBORVIEW is a level one trauma and is going to take the most critically, seriously injured. And that's what happened here. So we had six that came in that are more seriously injured and then we have five other coming. So the ten that went to other hospitals had injuries that were not as serious.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER: What kinds of injuries are you hearing about?

GREGG: You know, I don't know. I just know we have the six in and it's only been 15 minutes. So there, again, there's a full assessment and workup that's happening right now. And I don't know what the injuries are yet. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE REPORTER: I know the media has just grabbed you

so you haven't had a lot of time. But help us understand the scene inside. This is what you guys are prepared to do. This is what HARBORVIEW is known for as the top trauma center.

GREGG: You know, we do this every day. We have had a lot of disasters this last year unfortunately from Ouzo (ph) to the SPD huge shooting to Marysville. And so, we're always at the ready. We have to be. We're 24/7 and we serve a level one trauma center for four states. So you know, you have a big contingent down there and you have a team that will take care of every patient and you see a patient come in and you see a team of 15 people surrounding that patient and doing everything humanly possible and you triage. You take the most serious situation and take care of that first and then you just go down the line.

So we have a well-equipped oiled machine and there are people that not only do they know what they are doing, they have compassion for what they are doing and it's what we do. And it's what we're great at.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you have any --

BALDWIN: And that was a member of the local hospital there responding to the media, receiving a number of those patients. The triage set up. Swift response here by Seattle fire. Ninety firefighters there on scene. We're going to keep an eye on this as we have been reporting two people have been killed. Multiple others injured. And we're told the most significant injuries coming from folks are riding on the charter bus, not the duck boat. But we have confirmed there were no seat belts on the duck boat.

Also, we're watching for the Pope to arrive at Joint Base Andrews there in the Washington, D.C. area. Secretary of state John Kerry there on hand to say goodbye with so many others before he heads off to New York.

Quick break, we'll be right back.

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[15:42:14] BALDWIN: Want to come back to our breaking news just the top of scene. This is just one of the many who were injured in that collision between a charter bus and a duck boat there. This is highway 99. This the Aurora Bridge which by the way will be closed for hours and hours because of what you're looking at.

Two people have been killed. And according to fire, nine people in critical condition, 12 with nonlife threatening injuries but all have been taken to the hospital. Ninety firefighters there on the scene. And we have heard from the fire department a second ago. And she said the most significant injuries coming from the bus.

And Peter Valdes-Dapena, I'm bringing your voice into this as well here, our digital correspondent.

As we look at that bus and what is missing on the left side of the bus, you make a great point about how high up the duck boat would be to hit the side of the bus.

PETER VALDES-DAPENA, CNN DIGITAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes. Ordinarily, when you have a charter bus like that, you would be riding high up. Most collisions the impact would happen below you, underneath where you are sitting. In this case, you have a high riding vehicle with a very long nose on the front. It seems like a very bad situation because the nose of that duck boat would come in --

BALDWIN: -- is level to the passengers.

VALDES-DAPENA: Exactly. Right, where people are actually sitting.

BALDWIN: Here's a detail that we got. This is from our Seattle affiliate KOMO. One witness who was on the duck boat told this news station that the duck veered out of control before the crash, again, this is according to KOMO, another witness says he was driving north when he saw the duck vehicle swerve in to the side of the tour bus and saw people flying out of the bus and on to the street. We're covering this for you and trying to get more information. We know the mayor of Seattle, he will be speaking any moment now.

Also watching and waiting for the Pope to arrive at Joint Base Andrews there. The red carpet has been rolled out. The plane is ready. We're just waiting for the man, really, of the week here. An historic week, his first visit if his 78 years. Pope Francis will be departing the Washington, D.C. area and heading to New York and finally on to Philadelphia.

Breaking coverage here both in Washington and in Seattle, after this.

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[15:48:46] BALDWIN: And we come out here live pictures and the red carpet has been rolled out. The plane is in position ready to say good-bye and thank you to Pope Francis after this historic visit to our nation's capital. There's secretary of state John Kerry shaking some hands with members of the church here. We are waiting to see the man himself, Pope Francis, arrive here at Joint Base Andrews. We saw him get in the fiat and the motorcade en route there to Maryland from that Vatican embassy (INAUDIBLE) in the Washington, D.C. area. And then he's off to New York.

I have a number of people standing by as we watch all of these precious moments here. I have John Berman standing by at St. Patrick's cathedral here in New York which is where he will be headed later on today. Sitting alongside, our Vatican correspondent who knows so, so much about all of this, Delia Gallagher.

But first, let me go to Rosa Flores. Rosa Flores, who has been really with the Pope ever since he started this journey in Rome. She's on the phone with me sitting inside of the plane that you can't quite see in this picture, but the plane there on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews.

Rosa Flores, what a past few days from you, personally, being blessed by the Pope on the papal plane a couple of days ago to this historic visit in Washington addressing bishops yesterday, addressing Congress yesterday and now to New York.

[15:50:07] ROSA FLORES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on the phone): My friend, it's been a roller coaster of emotions for everyone I believe here in the United States welcoming Pope Francis for the very first time.

Now, I just boarded the papal plane, Brooke. All the journalists sit in the back of the plane. We're waiting for the Holy Father to arrive. Some of his entourage is already here. They're waiting for him. But I got to tell you this, Brooke, you're going to be very interested in this factoid. The papal plane on Rome to the United States was Alitalia. Here in the U.S. it is an American airlines plane. Again, Pope Francis flies in a regular commercial plane. And here is just an American airline plane.

Just now they passed out menus for our short flight to New York. And it has the feel of Pope Francis, Pope Francis code of arms. It is, you know, a pretty detail. But just to keep you a little curious, you know, a lot of journalists here in back, we have a lot of carry-on bags, Brooke, you know. With our gear, with our cameras, everything's -- I asked because I'm nosey and very curious.

BALDWIN: You're a journalist and that's why you're asking. Good girl. What did he say?

FLORES: So the holy people told me he carries an electric razor, a prayer book, a novel, a rosary and a toothbrush. Now, I don't know what novel he carries. Wouldn't we want to know? I don't know exactly what he does. But when he gets on the plane, I'm told by the holy team that he likes reading, reflecting, praying while he travels. And of course visiting with journalists. So that you know he comes to the back of the plane and chats with us sometimes. But he's not here yet, Brooke. We're waiting for him. And as soon as I know more, if I catch a picture, I'll be tweeting you, Brooke. Make sure you're in on all of the details.

BALDWIN: We appreciate it, Rosa Flores. What an incredible week for you as well traveling alongside here with Pope Francis. We'll come back to you, Rosa. I'd love to get a little more color as far as who's in the crowd there at Joint Base Andrews.

But for now let me pause and head northward to New York where my colleagues John Berman and Delia Gallagher are sitting by in front of St. Patrick's k cathedra cathedral.

I see some, you know, it looks like maybe police behind you. It's so rare that Fifth Avenue the traffic is no more. And the Pope will be there what in just a couple of hours?

JOHN BERMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's right. Well, Washington's loss is New York's gain. The Pope touches down at JFK at about 5:00 p.m. eastern. Assuming he's on time he looks like he's a few minutes late right now.

DELIA GALLAGHER, VATICAN ANALYST: He is late because he was saying hello and good-bye to the people of Washington.

BERMAN: Couldn't stop talking to people in Washington.

He will later JFK at 5:00. Chopper over to Manhattan drive to where we are and then from about 56th street, which is six blocks away from here, Brooke, he's going to get in the Pope mobile and he is going to drive in the Pope mobile down Fifth Avenue right here. That is where people in New York will get their first chance to see Pope Francis. Remember this is a Pope who's never been to America. So he's never been to New York before either. So this is the first chance New Yorkers will get to see him. And then he will go into this majestic church behind us, St. Patrick's cathedral. Just wonder what a $177 million renovation over three years. Absolutely beautiful. For an evening prayer service, the vespers with some 3,000 people inside most of them clergy, priests and nuns. Tonight more of a religious event.

BALDWIN: I see headlights. Forgive me for jumping in, John Berman, but I see headlights and flashing lights. We are looking now at live pictures of this papal motorcade entering Joint Base Andrews. So we'll stay on these pictures. His fiat somewhere in this line of cars.

Go ahead, John Berman. Where were you?

BERMAN: I'm just going to ask Delia once he gets to New York it will be a different day in New York than he had in Washington. He's got a different mission here.

GALLAGHER: Absolutely. Let's take the New York leg of things begins his opening to the world. Let's say in Washington, he was speaking to the American people and to their representatives and his message was for our country. Once he comes to New York beginning tomorrow, he has this important speech at the United Nations. And that of course begins a kind of opening up from New York to the world.

Although, I suspect and expect that the message will remain one that we heard, same themes that we heard in Congress, i.e., the common good that the work of politicians is for the dignity of people. And the same themes that he has brought up to the American people about immigration, about economic injustice, about the poor and so on. So I expect that those themes will be there, but they will be broadened for a larger audience because of course the United Nations audience will be from countries all over the world.

[15:55:07] BERMAN: We're seeing him traveling right now as he approaches the plane, the American airlines plane at Joint Base Andrews. His movements around Washington were something to see. His movements around New York will be something to be seen as well, not just here but tomorrow taking that small motorcade through central park to some 80,000 people.

GALLAGHER: Absolutely. And the visit to ground zero will be very significant. Of course Pope Benedict was at ground zero in 2008, but it was a different site at that time. And the ground zero visit then, John, begins a kind of ecumenical and interreligious encounter. So, there will be representatives of the Jewish faith, all faiths there to pray with the Pope at ground zero. So that is, again, another aspect. So we've got political aspect at the U.N. and then an interreligious at ground zero.

BERMAN: Brooke, as we see the fiat drive up, why don't we toss back to you. The Vatican flag flying on the front of that small car wave there.

BALDWIN: Love these vigils.

BERMAN: Amazing.

BALDWIN: I mean, it just stands out, this fiat, just so totally stands out in the motorcade and the Pope's hand outstretched out of that back right to the crowds here who have been cheering for him. So many young people waiting to get one final glimpse at Joint Base Andrews before the Pope departs. Let's just listen to the crowd.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)

BALDWIN: So as we see in these pictures and really it was a rock star welcome. It's a rock star good-bye before the Pope heads onto New York. I'd love to bring in one more voice. Sister Mary Scullion. She is the founder of Project Home. It is a non-profit provides housing and services to the homeless in the Philadelphia area. And that's where the Pope will be headed after his time in New York.

And so Sister, I just wanted to make sure I got you in. I want to hear your voice because, you know, it's so important to this Pope to come meet and speak with and perhaps even wash the feet of the homeless in your city. Can you tell me more about what he'll be doing there and why this is so important to him and to you?

SISTER MARY SCULLION, PRESIDENT/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PROJECT HOME (on the phone): The Pope's commitment to those who are poor and homeless is critically important because in the past it's very rare that you hear national leaders talking about homelessness and poverty. But Pope Francis is shining a light on those who are on the margins of our society. And he's shining that light in a way to invite all of us to come and take action, to walk our brothers and sisters in the eye, to call them by name, to know them as people, as individuals, and to work together for more inclusive and sustainable society.

I just was ecstatic today listening to him, seeing him when he went to the catholic charities luncheon this afternoon. He was right there in the midst of people who were homeless, the volunteers, and you know, the great leaders in catholic social services. You know, with no barrier but really warm contact right there with the people and it was just an amazing beautiful gesture.

BALDWIN: Well, you are humble yourself. But let me just brag on you. You've been working and doing this sort of work for 30 years. I know you say it's radically changed you and it's so important to you and obviously so important to the man in the center of this screen.

Sister Scullion, thank you so much there in Philadelphia, the founder of Project Home.

And in my waning moments with you here live on CNN let's just watch Pope Francis embark on shepherd one, it's an American airlines plane, before he heads to New York.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)