Washington, DC Metro Accident Causes Fatalities, Serious Injuries

At least six people are confirmed to be dead and scores of others have been injured.

WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - It was approximately 5:00 p.m., the beginning of the height of the evening rush hour in the Washington D.C. Metroplex. The Red line is one of the most traveled lines in the entire Metro DC subway line. On this day, Monday, June 22,2009 it was just beginning to fill with commuters.Then, the tragedy occurred.

The Red Line trains run below ground for most of its extensive interstate span. However, it runs at ground level at the border between Washington DC and Maryland. A six-car train apparently derailed and then ran into a train between the Takoma Park and Fort Totten stations.

This accident has caused continuing widespread concern throughout the Capitol region. DC Mayor Adrian Fenty is attempting to keep residents calm but had to acknowledge that it "... looks to be the worst Metro accident in D.C. history." At least six people are confirmed to be dead and scores of others have been injured. Among the dead, the woman subway train operator.

D.C. Fire Chief Dennis Rubin indicated that 70 people were taken to local hospitals. The manager of the DC Metro, John Catoe, reported that one of the trains was waiting for permission to leave the station when it was struck by another train from behind. He told reporters, "I give my deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives today ...This is an incredibly tragic event. We will get to the bottom and find out what happened."

Reports from the scene indicated that 250 firefighters are still at the wreckage site. The Red Line will be closed between Silver Spring, Maryland and Rhode Island Station during the busy Tuesday morning commute. Buses are being provided for the massive commuter population.

The National Transportation Safety Board is leading an investigation into the accident.

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