15 hurt after San Francisco cable car stop
A San Francisco cable car abruptly stopped Monday afternoon, injuring 15 passengers, according to the San Francisco Fire Department. Two people were taken to hospitals and 11 were treated for minor aches and pains; the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency said it is investigating and will conduct a full safety review.
đ Key Facts
- Incident date/time: Monday afternoon, Dec. 15, 2025
- Injuries: 15 total; 2 transported to hospitals; 11 treated on scene
- Agencies: SFFD reported injuries; SFMTA announced an investigation and safety review
đ Relevant Data
There have been at least three cable car incidents resulting in multiple injuries in San Francisco since 2022, including one in 2022 where a 78-year-old woman was hit leading to an $11 million settlement, one in October 2023 where 6 people were injured from a sudden stop, and one in August 2024 where 14 people were injured from an abrupt halt.
The $50M problem lurking behind one of SF's biggest attractions â SFGate
San Francisco cable cars lack seat belts and enhanced safety straps because they are historic vehicles that predate the invention of modern seat belts in 1959, and the system operates at a financial loss, making such modifications unrealistic.
The $50M problem lurking behind one of SF's biggest attractions â SFGate
In 2019, the operating costs for the San Francisco cable car system were $70 million, with revenue of only $24 million, resulting in a $46 million annual loss.
The $50M problem lurking behind one of SF's biggest attractions â SFGate