Monday, June 22, 2009
UPDATE: 9 dead as two Metro trains collide in Washington, DC. Deadliest crash in the system's history. Watch morning briefing.
Click here and then scroll down for the latest fire and EMS news from STATter911.com
Live coverage from the scene (when available)
Raw video from Tuesday morning briefing
Raw video from NTSB Monday night briefing
9NEWS NOW reporter Bruce Leshan's 11:00 PM report
January 13, 1982 Metro collision that killed three people
(If video links fail to work with your browser, click here, where you will also find more videos from the crash)
City sources again confirm for STATter911.com that nine people have died in the collision of two Metro trains on Monday. The sources originally confirmed that information shortly after 11:00 PM, but in a morning press conference Mayor Adrian Fenty reported the official toll was at seven. Seventy-six others were hurt, at least two of them critically, in the worst wreck in Metro's history.
DC Fire & EMS Department sources indicate the higher death count was originally based on views from a camera used to access parts of the wreckage firefighters couldn't reach. Parts of bodies were discovered. The sources now confirm (10:00 AM on Tuesday) five more bodies were removed from the wreckage this morning, in addition to the four previously removed. The sources indicate there are no further signs, at the moment, of bodies in the wreckage.
Mayor Fenty expects a final death count to be announced at 5:00 PM.
Sources tell STATter911.com that Metro train controllers frantically tried to radio at least one of the operators of two trains that collided on the Red Line this afternoon just prior to the collision.
The call came in around 5:00 PM for a derailment near the Fort Totten Metro Station in Northeast. DC Fire & EMS Chief Dennis Rubin confirms the original information from the city's 911 center did not indicate there had been a collision between two trains with injuries.
Firefighters quickly determined the serious nature of the incident. One six-car train, Train 112, had collided with and run over the top the rear car of another six-car train, Train 214. Metro officials confirm that both trains were heading toward Shady Grove, or in-bound toward the city, approaching the Fort Totten station.
In an early briefing DC Fire & EMS Department PIO Alan Etter reported as many as nine-people trapped in the wreckage. By 7:00 PM sources confirmed that four people had died, with more fatalities likely. City officials held their first briefing at 7:15 PM, lead by Mayor Adrian Fenty.
A short time later the other two fatalities were confirmed. One of those dead is the woman Metro worker who was operating Train 112.
Chief Rubin reports a total of 70 people were transported to area hospitals. According to Chief Rubin, fifty were green tags, 14 were yellow tags, 6 red tags and 6 black tags. Two firefighters received minor injuries while at the scene.
Three-alarms were sounded, with much mutual-aid from neighboring jurisdictions responding to the scene and covering the rest of the city. A mass casualty type EMS bus and other equipment was sent from Fairfax County. Much closer Montgomery County, sent numerous ambulances and firefighters to the incident.
At 9:45 PM recovery operations were still underway to free bodies from the mangled wreckage of the trains. Fire officials expected to find more bodies in the crushed read car of Train 214.
Shortly after 11:00 PM, sources familiar with the investigation confirmed three more bodies were discovered in the wreckage.
The Metro tracks run adjacent to the CSX tracks. The incident shut down CSX and MARC Train traffic. Amtrak's Capital Limited also uses the CSX tracks.
Prior to this incident, the deadliest crash in Metro's history was on January 13, 1982. Three people were killed and 25 injured when a car was crushed against a tunnel wall at a malfunctioning crossover switch. This happened shortly after Air Florida Flight 90 crashed into the 14th Street Bridge during a snowstorm.
I wonder why the ATC systems (automatic train control) didn't act to prevent this accident? Was the engineer/operator over riding that?
Awful loss of life that shouldn't have happened. Glad it wasn't worse!
: June 23, 2009 11:43 AM help those people who needed assistance. The DCFD ICS was well in place. Chief Rubin and his Operational Staff were and are today still trying to hopefully find any Human Beings that may still be trapped. All of the localDC Gov't Agencies, the Federal Authorities, ie; NTSB/FBI
all worked together in a tireless manner. The credit here is given to all those people. The best effort was the absolute Professionalism the DCFD Firefighters/Paramedics gave of themselves. The DCFD has always been a Top notch Fire Suppression agency. The EMS factor obviously played a significant role here. Loaded METRO Trains, a terrible collission, and no fire occurred. The DCFD Folks can rest assured the nation was watching the media and their efforts were noticed. The Nations Capitol can be proud of the DCFD and the well Respected and Nationwide noted Fire Chief Dennis Rubin. I would ask/hope that any comments to be submitted here be on a positive note, and reflect what happened and how, who, stabilized this terrible event. How about let us all take a step back and say a Prayer for those innocent souls who were lost, and Pray for those who survived. I do believe a true Thank you for a job well done by DCFD is in order.
Thank You
: June 23, 2009 11:47 AM As far as praising Dennis Rubin for is honesty, you must either be him or next to him as you write, because this clown is as dishonest and corrupt as the days long. Im suprised he was actually in town, as he often isnt due to his precious speaking engagements around the country that interfere with his job as a Fire Chief.
Because he stepped up to the microphone yesterday, doesnt make him special nor does it overshadow what he has done to the overall morale of the department. He is a talker and has fooled alot of folks along his journey in the fire service which has been about onething and onething only.....Himself. You must have been fooled too, like he has fooled all those who follow his BS and pay to hear this clown talk about how great he is. To say he is well respected is a personal opinion and not that of the members of the DCFD and i can probably speak for the members of Atlanta for the mess he created there.
And when the truth about this guy and the cronies under him is exposed, he will be nationally known alright. Then we'll see how sought after he is for public speaking.
: June 23, 2009 10:27 PM incident for DCFD. The Mayor expects his Department Heads to be there with up to date progress reports. Chief Rubin and his Operational Command staff had the DCFD ICS well in hand. The Operational Staff knew what,where, who among the DCFD personnel was operating. The Term ACCOUNTIBILITY was the Top concern for/by everyone.everyone. I also didnot read any Positive comments from you
about the exceptional fine job the Men and Women of DCFD performed in carrying out their duites. I am a Retired Lieutenant from one the local Jurisdictions in the Washington Metropolitan Area. as far as Atlanta Fire Dept. they are an absolute shameful disgraceful to the Professionalism of the Fire and EMS Service. Within recent past months massive sick leave on a weekend forcing the closing of Stations. Delayed response, going to wrong address. Atlanta Firefighters are probably good Trained Professionals. However the mentality especially sure does take away from the IAFF purpose. I am quite sure they are IAFF Personnel. Atlanta does have a well respected Nationally known Fire Chief. Hopefully he can bring about needed change of that chaotic mess. To the Men and Women
of DCFD, those Brothers and Sisters who were on the Tragic Metro Train collision I would like to take this opportunity to again express my personal Thanks for a Job Well Done. DCFD Firefighters and Paramedics I Salute You.
Thank You
: June 24, 2009 11:58 AM Links to this post:
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