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9 confirmed dead in D.C. Metro accident
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Photo courtesy of Microsoft ClipArt
It is being called the deadliest accident in the system’s 33-year history. Yesterday’s Metro collision, involving two Red Line trains traveling on the same track during afternoon rush hour, injured at least 76 passengers and rescue crew and has killed at least 9. Washington, D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty commented that the collision “was so powerful that the striking train was compressed to about one-third its original size”, while Metro General Manager John B. Catoe Jr. cited "unbelievable destruction and damage". With the statement announcing elevated death tolls issued just hours ago, and the rescue effort continuing, the full extent of casualties has yet to be seen.
Though it will be months before investigations yield conclusions on causes, early speculation repeatedly cites outdated technology as a culprit. One of the colliding trains, a 1000 series that features first generation technology, had notably different functionality than the other, which was led by a 5000 series front most train and 3000 series cars. Among differences were a series of at least nine recorder boxes implanted within newer train cars—a feature missing from 1000 series trains. If found intact, the recorder boxes should provide investigators with data on train speed, braking activity, and the application of emergency measures.
Deborah Hersman, who is leading the investigation on behalf of the National Transportation Safety Board, said the NTSB has "...recommended for years that WMATA either retrofit [the 1000 series] cars or phase them out of the fleet. They have not been able to do that. And our recommendation was not addressed, so it has been closed in an unacceptable status," she said.
The last D.C. Metro accident that resulted in fatalities was a 1982 derailment that killed 3.
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