Two DC Metro trains have collided!

[torinsmom]

Looks like it happened during rush hour. Prayers to all the victims and their families. We were just there last week and rode the red line several times every day.

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/06/22/washington-subway-collision236.html

 

[Christine]

Yep. It's been on the news nonstop. So far, two fatalities. The pictures look pretty bad. One train is sitting on top of the other.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

Oh no! Prayers for all involved. It must be a nightmare getting out the passengers.

 

[Claire L]

Oh wow just watching this on BBC news, having seen this thread.

We were just there this past week as well.



Claire

 

[DebbieB]

I was there last month and rode it several times. I was thinking they move really fast, above ground we were moving faster than the highway traffic next to us.

 

[Christine]

I was there last month and rode it several times. I was thinking they move really fast, above ground we were moving faster than the highway traffic next to us.

I don't believe that speed was the factor. They were on the same track going in opposite directions.

 

[colonialtinker]

The update has been 4 people have lost their lives. I am so thankful that my mom was not on the trains. I've said a prayer to all involved.

 

[disney1990]

I don't believe that speed was the factor. They were on the same track going in opposite directions.

Latest news is that one train was sitting in the station waiting for orders to be able to proceed. The second train ran into the back of that train. At least 2 cars of one of the trains are on top of the other train.

We have had constant coverage of this on every television station in the DC area since the story broke shortly after 5:00.

We have 4 that have died, several people are in very critical condition, about 13 people have moderate injuries and then there are 50 "walking" wounded.

This is the worse accident in the history of the DC Metro.

 

[minniebeth]

My heart and prayers go out to the victims and their families and the survivors too, so traumatic...

 

[JR6ooo4]

was it a sharp curve or something? How did the driver not see the stopped train?

was he/she not scheduled to stop at that stop so was going much faster?

such a shame... I don't really pray, but for those people I will.

Mike

 

[Magix]

Let's hope the driver wasn't texting, like the guy out here in LA was when he ran his Metrolink train head-on into a freight train. Missed the red light because he was busy texting with some teenagers.

 

[disney1990]

They are looking into everything. There should have been an automated system that wouldn't allow this to happen. They don't know if maybe that system failed or was overridden. With an ongoing investigation like this, they just aren't going to release the information yet.

The operator of the train that ran into the other train is one of the fatalities.

 

[TDC Nala]

The Metro trains are automated, the computer should prevent collisions. The driver of the moving train is deceased, so we can't know at this point how she did not see the stopped train ahead or if she attempted to override the system if it was functioning. It'll take some investigation before they figure out how this happened.

Confirmed fatality count is now 6.

 

[disney1990]

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bal-train-pg,0,6207146.photogallery

Here are some of the most recent pictures. The train on the top is the one that hit the other train and jack-knifed. That is the car that the Metro driver was in when she died. The floor in the top car was taken off in the accident and you could look down and see the roof of the other car below.

This is just so sad for all those involved in the accident and their families.

 

[sunkist]

Does anyone know which between which stops this happened? We where there just 2 weeks ago and stayed at Silver Springs. We would catch the Metro at Silver springs to go into DC. My thoughts and prayers are with all involved.

 

[torinsmom]

Does anyone know which between which stops this happened? We where there just 2 weeks ago and stayed at Silver Springs. We would catch the Metro at Silver springs to go into DC. My thoughts and prayers are with all involved.

What I heard was between Fort Totten and Takoma.

 

[TDC Nala]

The stopped train was waiting to pull into Fort Totten, on the tracks just past the Maryland state line. Trains moving in the direction of Shady Grove, so inbound into DC.

 

[onelilspark]

Sadly, this could have been a lot worse. Hopefully those injured now make a full recovery. How horrible, this is the first I'm hearing of it and I actually watched our news this evening.

 

[S. C.]

Prayers said for the families.

 

[Missy1961]

Sadly, this could have been a lot worse. Hopefully those injured now make a full recovery. How horrible, this is the first I'm hearing of it and I actually watched our news this evening.

I watched the news here in Metro NY--this was the first story on all channels. I guess because so many of us here commute on trains.

This is so sad.