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June 2009 Washington Metro train collision

Coordinates: 38°57′38″N 77°00′22″W / 38.9605°N 77.006°W / 38.9605; -77.006
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June 2009 Washington Metro train collision
Map
Details
DateJune 22, 2009
~5:00 p.m. EDT
LocationBetween Takoma and Fort Totten, Northeast, Washington, D.C.
CountryUnited States
LineRed Line
OperatorWashington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Incident typeTrain collision
CauseUnder investigation
Statistics
Trains2 (2 six-car trains)
Deaths9 (8 passengers and train operator)
Injured100+

The 2009 Washington Metro accident was an American subway accident that occurred during the afternoon of June 22, 2009. Two southbound Metrorail trains on the Red Line crashed in Northeast Washington, D.C., United States, killing nine people,[1][2][3][4][5] trapping several, and causing up to 100 injuries.[6][7][8] It is the deadliest accident in the history of the Washington Metro.[2][9]

Overview

At 5:03 p.m. EDT on the afternoon of June 22, 2009,[9] two southbound trains on the Red Line collided. One train, bound from Glenmont for Shady Grove, rear-ended another that was stopped between the Takoma and Fort Totten stations, killing eight passengers and the operator of the rear train, Jeanice McMillan, 42, of Springfield.[10][11] The cars ended up stacked on top of each other, while some passengers remained trapped in the trains for two and a half hours.[9] Nine people were killed and more than 100 injured, dozens of whom were described as "walking wounded". Red Line service was suspended between the Fort Totten and Takoma stations, and New Hampshire Avenue was closed.[12] D.C. Fire Chief Dennis Rubin later confirmed four fatalities (including the operator of the train) and 74 injuries, 14 considered moderate and 6 considered critical.[2][3] At 7:58 p.m. EDT, two more fatalities were confirmed. By the end of the night, nine people were reported to have died in the accident.[2]

Cause

Metro General Manager John Catoe stated that the cause of the accident was not known but that "the system is safe".[5][13] WMATA officials initially reported that around 5:00 pm EDT, the first train was waiting to pass another train.[14] Two or three minutes later, for unknown reasons the second train collided with the first train, killing the operator of the second train on impact.[14] According to survivors of the crash, the second train was attempting to stop and avoid the collision.[2] The National Transportation Safety Board has begun an investigation.[4]

In a press conference the evening of June 22, Metro General Manager John Catoe indicated that the last car on the stopped train was a newer 5000-series car and that the lead car on the moving train was a original series Rohr Industries 1000-series car. The 1000-series cars entered service in 1976 and were rehabilitated in the 1990s. In 2006, the NTSB cited the 1000-series cars as "vulnerable to catastrophic telescoping damage and complete loss of occupant survival space in a longitudinal end-structure collision." Additionally, the board recommended the replacement or rehabilitation of the entire series. During the press conference, Catoe stated that he has "no basis to suspend the use of 1000-series cars at this time”. [15]

Response

Immediately following the collision, firefighters and paramedics rushed to the site to rescue trapped passengers and attend to the injured. Fire Chief Rubin stated that, originally, the 911 calls made the accident seem small. Upon firefighter arrival, mass casualty teams were deemed necessary. Within two hours, more than 200 firefighters were on-scene in response to the three-alarm incident.[2]

Interruption of service

Due to the collision, service between the Silver Spring and Rhode Island Avenue stations was suspended pending the completion of the investigation and the clearing of debris. This section was expected to remain shut down at least through June 23. Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty said that transportation "all along the East Coast will be significantly impacted."[16] because Amtrak and MARC Trains use tracks adjacent to the crash site.

President's statement

President Barack Obama said in a statement: "Michelle and I were saddened by the terrible accident in north-east Washington DC. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends affected by this tragedy." "I want to thank the brave first responders who arrived immediately to save lives." [17]

References

  1. ^ "9 dead after Metro train derailment, collision". WTOP. June 22, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Tom Bridge (2009-06-22). "Metro Derailment, Collision at Fort Totten, 6 Dead". We Love DC. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
  3. ^ a b [1] "4 Dead After Metro Trains Collide in Washington D.C." Fox News. June 22, 2009.
  4. ^ a b Lena H. Sun; Lyndsey Layton (June 22, 2009). "At Least 6 Dead in Metro Crash On Rail System's Deadliest Day". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 23, 2009.
  5. ^ a b Stout, David (June 22, 2009). "Washington Commuter Train Crash Kills Four". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-06-23.
  6. ^ "One Killed in Metro Collision". NBC Washington. June 22, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
  7. ^ "US subway trains in collision". BBC News. 2009-06-22. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
  8. ^ "2 dead after Metro train derailment, collision". wtop.com. WTOP-FM. 2009-06-22. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
  9. ^ a b c Sullivan, Andy. "Four Killed, 70 Injured in Washington Subway Crash." Reuters. June 22, 2009.
  10. ^ "Red Line Trains Collide, Six Dead". Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. 2009-06-22. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
  11. ^ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/22/AR2009062202508.html?hpid=topnews
  12. ^ "2 Dead, Many Injured in Red Line Train Collision". ABC7 News. 2009-06-22. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
  13. ^ D.C. Metro Trains Collide, Killing Four. Wall Street Journal. June 22, 2009
  14. ^ a b "DC Metro Chief: First Train Stopped, Second Hit It." Associated Press. June 22, 2009.
  15. ^ http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2009/06/22/old-questions-about-crashworthiness-of-metro-cars/#more-25361
  16. ^ Robert Thomson (June 22, 2009). "Rescuers Still Searching Trains". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 23, 2009.
  17. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8114003.stm
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