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A Red Line train carrying 63 people derailed between the Metro Center and Farragut North stations. DC Metro (WMATA) officials said the train was one of the new 7000-series that was recently put into service. Passengers on the train described a loud boom and violent shaking. One passenger interviewed by NBC Washington said it felt twice as bad as turbulence he had experienced while flying.
Emergency services were able to evacuate the 61 passengers without any issues. Power to the third rail was shut down as passengers walked 2,000 feet to Metro Center station. No injuries were reported.
Does the recent derailment hint at major safety issues that need to be resolved? NBC Washington said it received audio of DC Metro officials speaking about loose rail and communication problems right after the derailment. Given DC Metro’s history of fatal incidents, this is a story you may want to continue following.
It has been slightly more than three years since one of the worst disasters in DC Metro’s history. On January 12, 2015, Yellow Line Train 302 encountered heavy smoke in the tunnel between L’Enfant Plaza station and the Potomac River bridge. Two of the six exhaust fans used for ventilating the tunnels malfunctioned during the incident. Deadly smoke filled the train as many passengers waited for help to arrive. More than 90 people were injured, including passengers, emergency responders and DC Metro employees. One passenger died from smoke inhalation.
On June 22, 2009, a DC Metro train collided into a stopped train. There were multiple deaths and injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) later determined the crash was preventable.
The Washington DC personal injury attorneys at Regan Zambri Long PLLC have experience with DC Metro lawsuits. Our attorneys have represented victims of the 2009 and 2015 fatal DC Metro incidents.
We previously published an article with tips for keeping kids safe on trains and railroads, you can access it here.
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