NEW YORK – Nearly two dozen Good Samaritans rushed to rescue a woman and her two toddler grandchildren when they were run over by an elderly driver in a busy section of Brooklyn Friday afternoon, authorities and witnesses said.

The 77-year-old driver was backing up on Moore Street in Bushwick when he hit the grandmother, identified as Elizabeth Castillo, and the toddlers, who were in strollers, according to witnesses. The driver seemed to panic when he felt the impact and hit the gas pedal, further reversing the car up on the sidewalk and through a chain-link fence.

Bystanders quickly rushed to the victims’ aid and gathered around the car that had pinned Castillo and the children, 3-year-old Tyrese and 17-month-old Tashia.

Castillo suffered a broken collarbone, and Tashia had a broken arm, according to family. Both children received cuts.