June 2009 Washington Metro train collision: Difference between revisions
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==Overview== |
==Overview== |
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At 5:03 p.m. EDT on the afternoon of Monday, June 22, 2009,<ref name="Reuters1">[http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNewsAndPR/idUSN2252089220090622 Sullivan, Andy. "Four Killed, 70 Injured in Washington Subway Crash." ''Reuters.'' June 22, 2009.]</ref> two southbound trains on the Red Line collided. One train, bound from [[Glenmont (Washington Metro)|Glenmont]] for [[Shady Grove (Washington Metro)|Shady Grove]], [[Rear-end collision|rear-ended]] another that was stopped between the [[Takoma (Washington Metro)|Takoma]] and [[Fort Totten (Washington Metro)|Fort Totten]] stations, killing at nine people, including the [[Motorman|operator]] in the lead car of the moving train, Jeanice McMillan, 42, of [[Springfield, Virginia]].<ref name="WashPost" /> The rear car of the stationary train [[Telescoping (railway)|telescoped]] into the lead car of the moving train. Some passengers remained trapped in the trains for two and a half hours.<ref name="Reuters1" /> |
At 5:03 p.m. EDT on the afternoon of Monday, June 22, 2009,<ref name="Reuters1">[http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNewsAndPR/idUSN2252089220090622 Sullivan, Andy. "Four Killed, 70 Injured in Washington Subway Crash." ''Reuters.'' June 22, 2009.]</ref> two southbound trains on the Red Line collided. One train, bound from [[Glenmont (Washington Metro)|Glenmont]] for [[Shady Grove (Washington Metro)|Shady Grove]], [[Rear-end collision|rear-ended]] another that was stopped between the [[Takoma (Washington Metro)|Takoma]] and [[Fort Totten (Washington Metro)|Fort Totten]] stations, killing at least nine people, including the [[Motorman|operator]] in the lead car of the moving train, Jeanice McMillan, 42, of [[Springfield, Virginia]].<ref name="WashPost" /> The rear car of the stationary train [[Telescoping (railway)|telescoped]] into the lead car of the moving train. Some passengers remained trapped in the trains for two and a half hours.<ref name="Reuters1" /> 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 (Washington Metro)|Fort Totten]] and [[Takoma (Washington Metro)|Takoma]] stations, and [[New Hampshire Avenue]] was closed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0609/634125.html|title=2 Dead, Many Injured in Red Line Train Collision|date=2009-06-22|work=ABC7 News|accessdate=2009-06-22}}</ref> |
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Washington D.C. Fire Chief Dennis Rubin initially confirmed four fatalities (including the operator of the train) and 74 injuries, 14 considered moderate and 6 considered [[Medical state|critical]].<ref name="Cause1"/><ref name="Foxnews1">[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,528203,00.html] "4 Dead After Metro Trains Collide in Washington D.C." ''Fox News.'' June 22, 2009.</ref> Sources now agree that the current fatality count is nine.<ref name="CNN" /> |
Washington D.C. Fire Chief Dennis Rubin initially confirmed four fatalities (including the operator of the train) and 74 injuries, 14 considered moderate and 6 considered [[Medical state|critical]].<ref name="Cause1"/><ref name="Foxnews1">[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,528203,00.html] "4 Dead After Metro Trains Collide in Washington D.C." ''Fox News.'' June 22, 2009.</ref> Sources now agree that the current fatality count is nine.<ref name="CNN" /> |
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Revision as of 14:51, 23 June 2009
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (June 2009) |
| June 2009 Washington Metro train collision | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Details | |
| Date | June 22, 2009 ~5:00 p.m. EDT |
| Location | Between Takoma and Fort Totten, Northeast, Washington, D.C. |
| Country | United States |
| Line | Red Line |
| Operator | Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |
| Incident type | Train collision |
| Cause | Under investigation |
| Statistics | |
| Trains | 2 (2 six-car trains) |
| Deaths | At least 9 (including train operator) |
| Injured | 70+ |
The 2009 Washington Metro accident was a subway train-on-train collision that occurred during the afternoon rush hour of June 22, 2009. Two southbound Metrorail trains traveling on the same track on the Red Line collided in Northeast Washington, D.C. The collision killed at least nine people,[1][2] trapping several occupants and injuring up to 70 more.[3][4][5] It is the deadliest accident in the history of the Washington Metro.[6][7]
Overview
At 5:03 p.m. EDT on the afternoon of Monday, June 22, 2009,[7] 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 at least nine people, including the operator in the lead car of the moving train, Jeanice McMillan, 42, of Springfield, Virginia.[2] The rear car of the stationary train telescoped into the lead car of the moving train. Some passengers remained trapped in the trains for two and a half hours.[7] 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.[8]
Washington D.C. Fire Chief Dennis Rubin initially confirmed four fatalities (including the operator of the train) and 74 injuries, 14 considered moderate and 6 considered critical.[6][9] Sources now agree that the current fatality count is nine.[1]
Initial inquiry
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) General Manager John Catoe stated that the cause was not known but that "the system is safe".[10] WMATA officials initially reported that around 5:00 p.m. EDT, the first train had stopped just before Fort Totten station.[11] 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.[11] According to survivors of the crash, the second train was attempting to stop and avoid the collision.[6] The National Transportation Safety Board has begun an investigation.[2]
In a press conference the evening of June 22, Catoe stated that the last car on the stopped train was a newer 5000-Series car and that the lead car on the moving train was an original series Rohr Industries 1000-Series car. The 1000-series cars entered service in 1976 and were refurbished 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" and recommended refurbishment of the entire series. In a 2006 press release, the Safety Board called for the accelerated retirement of the 1000-series cars, or urged that they be "retrofitted with crashworthiness collision protection that is comparable to 6000-series car railcars."[12] During the press conference, Catoe stated that he had "no basis to suspend the use of 1000-series cars at this time".[13]
Investigators are looking into whether a failure of the braking and computerized signal systems or operator error were the cause of the accident. During rush hour operation, the trains are run by computers that control speed and braking which can lead to operators not paying close attention to the train's operations.[14]
Response
Immediately following the collision, firefighters and paramedics were dispatched to the site. Fire Chief Rubin stated that the initial 9-1-1 emergency calls made the incident seem small, but after firefighters arrived on scene, mass casualty incident teams were dispatched. Within two hours, more than 200 firefighters were on-scene in response to the three-alarm incident.[6]
Interruption of service
Due to the collision, service between the Silver Spring and Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood 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",[15] as 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 Northeast Washington, D.C. 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."[16]
References
- ^ a b http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/06/23/washington.metro.crash/index.html
- ^ a b c Lena H. Sun; Lyndsey Layton; Debbi Wilgoren (June 23, 2009). "At Least Nine Killed in Red Line Crash". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 23, 2009.
- ^ "One Killed in Metro Collision". NBC Washington. June 22, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
- ^ "US subway trains in collision". BBC News. 2009-06-22. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
- ^ "2 dead after Metro train derailment, collision". wtop.com. WTOP-FM. 2009-06-22. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
- ^ a b c d Tom Bridge (2009-06-22). "Metro Derailment, Collision at Fort Totten, 6 Dead". We Love DC. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
- ^ a b c Sullivan, Andy. "Four Killed, 70 Injured in Washington Subway Crash." Reuters. June 22, 2009.
- ^ "2 Dead, Many Injured in Red Line Train Collision". ABC7 News. 2009-06-22. Retrieved 2009-06-22.
- ^ [1] "4 Dead After Metro Trains Collide in Washington D.C." Fox News. June 22, 2009.
- ^ D.C. Metro Trains Collide, Killing Four. Wall Street Journal. June 22, 2009
- ^ a b "DC Metro Chief: First Train Stopped, Second Hit It." Associated Press. June 22, 2009.
- ^ NTSB (2006-03-23). "NTSB DETERMINES THAT THE OPERATOR'S FAILURE TO APPLY BRAKES CAUSED WASHINGTON SUBWAY COLLISION IN 2004". National Transportation Safety Board. Retrieved 2009-06-23.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2009/06/22/old-questions-about-crashworthiness-of-metro-cars/#more-25361
- ^ http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/22/AR2009062203261.html?hpid=topnews
- ^ Robert Thomson (June 22, 2009). "Rescuers Still Searching Trains". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 23, 2009.
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8114003.stm
External links
