OT: Red Line accident

[Chesco United]

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0609/634125.html
Oh dear. This sounds like it could be bad. Stay safe, everyone!

[sitruc]

The pictures and video look bad. Nearly an entire train car is on top of the other train and one is confirmed dead at this point.

9 people are still trapped. The local news is struggling to get stuff out and WUSA keeps showing the wrong video unless Chris Brown made it back home after his plea agreement.

[sitruc]

Now they're saying two confirmed dead.

[Footer Phooter]

Just saw the pictures for the first time. That looks really bad. Hopefully, the number of fatalities stays at 2.

[Chesco United]

Grr. I'll have to check DC area websites, but where exactly did this take place?

[kasdc]

Grr. I'll have to check DC area websites, but where exactly did this take place?

In between Ft. Totten and Takoma stations.


http://dcist.com/attachments/dcist_sommer/2009_0622_fox3.jpg

[Chesco United]

In between Ft. Totten and Takoma stations.


http://dcist.com/attachments/dcist_sommer/2009_0622_fox3.jpg

Thanks for the info.

[blockski]

Ugh. Not good.

[JeremyEritrea]

Apparently this happened right under New Hampshire Ave.

DCIST reported that one train derailed and hit the other

http://dcist.com/2009/06/red_line_train_derails_near_ft_tott.php

I was headed north on the Red Line between Ft Totten and Takoma at about 4:30 PM, 30 or so minutes before the accident.


DC fan Red Line peeps, please check in. I'm OK, and safely at home.

[Chesco United]

CNN is reporting that a train operator was one of the fatalities. Sad.

[JeremyEritrea]

Just saw this on Twitter

RT @rj4dcu: ABC7 says fatalities may be as high as 7 people dead. Sad day for DC and #wmata



According to Metro chief John Catoe (sp?) one train was stopped at Ft Totten Metro, and another train plowed into it.

[KennyWoo]

I lived in DC for 3 years during law school, heard about the accident and just wanted to troll in here to say best wishes to all and I hope everyone and their loved ones are safe.

[jevanvoo]

just dropping by to say I hope everyone and their loved ones are ok :(

[Nacional Tijuana]

Good thoughts from Pittsburgh. I'm watching MSNBC and am shocked they arent covering this. I always have to use the Red when I'm in town (1ce a year, usually), and always switch at Ft. T. Tragic to hear at least 4 dead, by accounts I'm aware of.

Horrifying news about a metro area that I am hugely fond of, and its transit system, which I (as a transpo nerd of sorts) also love.

[BuffaloTF]

One of the survivors interviewed said the train held back after leaving Takoma Park and the operator announced there was another train ahead of it -- then their train took off and they thought nothing of it until they heard a bang and got tossed into the glass. Sounds like the computer failed that drives those things and she couldn't get it back to manual control. Scary. Looks like it's the worst accident in WMATA history already and they aren't done clearing it yet. Mayor Fenty asked everyone to avoid the red line so they can clear it quicker.

[JeremyEritrea]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2009/06/22/GA2009062202757.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/22/AR2009062202832.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/22/AR2009062202508.html

[Barracudas]

I just noticed this (I was a timer at a swim meet in the suburbs from 4:50-9:00) and my first thought was I hope Mike is okay. He is obviously okay and I am relieved and glad!

[La Barra Blonde]

Looks like some of the lines will be shut down tomorrow. How horrible.

[TOTC]

Frequent red-liner checking in. Fortunately I had a dinner date and missed the chaos entirely.

Thanks for the good wishes from Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, and New York.

They're saying six confirmed dead.

[Nerroth]

Terrible news.


Sorry to hear it, and my condolences to anyone affected by what happened.