Visible crew/equipment: In the scene where Axel barges into Victor's office and asks about Mikey, a boom mic can be seen right in front of Victor's face during every shot from behind his armchair. (00:27:50)
Visible crew/equipment: When the fruit truck is slammed by the tractor trailer, it slides into a parked, green Chevy Impala. Before the collision, the Chevy can be seen to have camera equipment under its front and rear bumpers, concealed by black cloth or tarp (the rear camera location is made obvious in a slow-motion shot when the fruit truck slides right toward we viewers). When the Chevy is hit, the rear camera is hidden from view and very likely damaged, but we actually see the front camera fall over. (00:06:40)
Visible crew/equipment: When Axel first pulls up to the country club to talk to Victor, he gives the valet his keys and requests his car be "parked in a good spot" as last time it was damaged. As valet drives off you can see the reflection of the camera, stage light and a crew member on the rolled up window. Easier to see on the VHS version. (01:02:30)
Visible crew/equipment: During the truck chase scene in the beginning, three cop cars slide into parked cars as they turn following the truck. In the middle car, right between the driver and the passenger, is a full camera rig. Next shot it's gone.
Visible crew/equipment: During the opening truck chase, a camera mount is visible in the back of one of the pursuing police cars.
Visible crew/equipment: In the beginning scene when the truck is smashing into parked cars with 3 police cars behind it, You can see to the left-hand side on top of the roof some filming crew with one holding a boom mic.
Visible crew/equipment: When Foley is released from the cell, he is taken to see Rosewood and Taggart. The camera tracks through the police station and it is visible reflected in the glass.
Visible crew/equipment: Most of the major crashes of the opening chase have large crowds gathered to watch the filming.
Answer: Axel gets knocked out by one of the thugs as soon as he opens the door. His boss later make mention of the fact that he's lucky he didn't get killed too. They probably spared him because he didn't see who hit him and therefore could not tell anyone what they looked like.
XIII