DC area Kossacks: avoid Metro's Red Line this evening.
A tragic accident has claimed at least two lives and injured dozens near the Washington DC-Maryland border. Around 5 p.m., two trains collided on the Red Line between Fort Totten and Takoma Park stations. One train is sitting on top of another train and this is described as a "mass casualty event."
The entire train system is delayed and automobile traffic is being rerouted on New Hampshire Avenue and other area streets.
Right now, our local NBC station is reporting that the FBI is on scene "to merely offer assistance." There is no evidence that this is a terror attack.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims and their families. We wish the injured a speedy recovery. It sounds like the emergency services are responding quickly. The evening rush hour is going to be a nightmare.
Here's a few resources:
NBC WRC-4
Washington Post
The DCist
We Love DC
On a personal note, I typically ride Red Line from Fort Totten. I was not at work/school today. Even if I had been, I would have disembarked just before that location.
I plan to update this as more information comes in and write a little about how the Metro train operates if there is any interest.
Update I: It might only be procedure, but there are reports that homicide officers have arrived. Also, the current reports are repeating that the FBI agents are just there to help.
There may have been track work and there are questions about whether the trains were single tracked. If that is the case, this could have been a head on rather than a rear-end collision.
No word on how many people were on board, but they were probably not fully loaded. However, the train is always busy at this time of day.
Update II: Mayor Adrian Fenty will be speaking about this at 7:15 p.m.
Update III: NBC 4 just reported that this was a rear-end collision, so one was following another on the same track.
One of the dead has been identified as a female Metro worker, presumably a conductor.
Over 100 are now reported injured. No word on the severity.
Update IV: The Washington Metro system runs on an automated system. That means the trains are controlled from a central control system. Generally, the conductors do not run the trains, but they do have an emergency brake:
During normal operation on revenue tracks (used for passenger services), trains are controlled by an automatic train control system (ATC) which accelerates and brakes the train automatically without operator intervention. However, all trains are manned with train operators who close the doors (they can optionally be set to open automatically), make station announcements, and supervise their train. The operator can switch a train into manual mode and operate the train manually if needed.
Source
Update V: The mayor is now saying that four people have died, making this the worst accident in Metro history (MetroRail opened in 1976). Fire Chief Dennis Rubin is saying that this was a three alarm and they are calling in help to cover other calls in the city. He is reporting two life threatening injuries, 12 serious, 50 minor injuries. Others made it to hospitals on their own.
And the chief just confirmed the four dead.
Update VI: Not surprisingly, the NTSB will be investigating.
If you are looking for families or friends, contact Metro Police directly. Don't go to the scene.
Rescue workers are still looking for survivors on the train.
Update VII: Latest report says that one train was stopped and there is no explanation why the trailing train did not get the message. At this time of day (i.e. rush hour) one train will come along and another will follow within two minutes. Then it is about a five to seven minute wait for the next pair of train.
This was the inbound train and the outboud train is usually the busier train during the evening rush hour.
Update VIII: Rescuers are using dogs to search for any more bodies. Here's hoping there is no one else in there. They will probably be there all night and possibly into tomorrow. If you need to travel from Takoma to Ft. Totten tomorrow morning, you may want to find a different way to get to work.
Update IX: This is getting worse. The death toll is now up to at least six, according to the local ABC station. Thanks, GlowNZ
Update X: Just to clarify the chain of events. From the reporting, I am understanding that one train was stopped at Fort Totten heading toward Shaddy Grove. A second train was stopped, waiting for that one to clear. The third train, for whatever reason, did not stop and hit the second train from behind. NTSB should be commenting soon and they will be investigating. However, these investigations can take months.
If you are in the city, call 311 to check on any family members who may have been on the trains. Use 202-737-4404 if you are outside of the city. This is a reunification center that the city has opened.
Update XI (last one): Mayor Fenty confirmed six fatalities and 70 people were taken to hospitals. Authorities have not confirmed that as a final number. Fire Chief Rubin is putting the injured at 50 with minor injures, 14 moderate injuries and 6 serious injuries. Two firefighters were injured on scene.
Tomorrow, the trains will not run between Takoma and Fort Totten. The rest of Red Line will be running at a reduced speed.
NTSB does not have much to say at this point other than that one six car train hit another six car train. They will take the lead in the investigation.
The mayor is planning to issue more comments tomorrow at 8 a.m.