2 ICU patients in New Taipei car crash regain consciousness: Hospital

New Taipei, May 20 (CNA) Two of the five patients in intensive care following Monday's fatal car crash in New Taipei have regained consciousness, according to city officials and hospital representatives.

Chen Jun-chiu (陳潤秋), head of New Taipei's Department of Health, told the city council that nine people remain hospitalized following the crash, which left 12 injured and three dead.

A 78-year-old driver surnamed Yu (余) caused the crash by plowing into a group of pedestrians near Bei Da Elementary School, according to local police. It's unclear what his health condition was at the time.

The two patients who regained consciousness are junior high school students being treated at New Taipei Municipal Tucheng Hospital. Another patient at the hospital remained in the ICU, while one more was recovering from a fracture, the hospital said.

At Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, two of the three admitted patients are still in intensive care, including a student and the driver.

En Chu Kong Hospital said both of its admitted patients are now in stable condition. One is being treated for dizziness, and the other for a shattered femur.