Salisbury Transit Bus Spotted Driving with Back Door Wide Open and Passenger in Wheelchair, Prompting City Investigation
SALISBURY, NORTH CAROLINA — A shocking video circulating on social media has prompted public concern and a city investigation after a Salisbury Transit bus was filmed driving through town with its back door wide open—while a man in a wheelchair sat just feet from the open edge.
The video, filmed and shared by Antoinette Wansley, shows the city bus speeding along with the rear door fully open, exposing the wheelchair passenger to extreme danger. The footage quickly went viral, drawing thousands of views and sparking debate over transit safety standards and driver oversight.
Witness Speaks Out About Dangerous Ride
Wansley, who recorded the now-viral clip, told the Salisbury Post that she began filming after noticing the rear door swinging wide as the bus traveled through Spencer at high speed.
“Before I started recording, he was definitely speeding around the curve,” she wrote on Facebook. “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing — a man in a wheelchair right in front of an open door.”
She later caught up to the bus and managed to alert the driver about the situation. According to Wansley, the driver eventually pulled over and secured the door, though it’s unclear why it had been left open in the first place.
Public Reaction and City’s Response
The video has stirred a wave of concern across Salisbury, with residents questioning how a vehicle carrying disabled passengers could be allowed to operate in such a condition.
“I don’t want the man to lose his job,” Wansley clarified in her post. “But this was not safe at all. It’s more on the company — the bus should have had alarms or better inspections.”
City officials quickly responded after the clip began circulating online. The City of Salisbury issued a public statement emphasizing that passenger safety is their top priority and confirming that an internal investigation is underway.
“We take the safety of all passengers very seriously,” the city said in a release. “We are actively investigating the situation and want to assure everyone that Salisbury Transit services remain safe.”
Investigation and Transit Review
Salisbury Community Engagement Director Anne Little confirmed that city officials are reviewing both the bus’s maintenance records and driver conduct to determine how such a serious safety lapse occurred.
She assured residents that the transit system remains operational and safe, but added that officials “are looking into what went wrong and how to prevent this from happening again.”
The incident has also reignited broader conversations about public transit accountability and the need for improved safety checks — especially on vehicles transporting seniors and individuals with disabilities.
Ongoing Investigation
As of now, the driver involved in the incident has not been publicly identified, and no disciplinary action has been announced. Officials say the investigation remains active, and updates will be shared once findings are complete.
For more updates on this developing story and other local safety reports, visit SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
