9 Dead, More Remain In Hospital After Metro Trains Collide

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- City sources again confirm for 9NEWS NOW that nine people have died in the collision of two Metro trains on Monday. The sources originally confirmed that information shortly after 11 p.m., 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.

Three of the victims remain at the Washington Hospital Center from the injuries they sustained. One patient is in critical condition, one is in fair condition, and one has been upgraded to good condition. Washington Hospital Center received seven patients after the crash; the other four patients were treated and released.

A Providence Hospital spokesperson says they received five people injured in the Metrorail crash. Three were treated and released, while one was admitted for observation and is still under observation, and one will undergo surgery for a fracture.

George Washington University Hospital admitted three individuals, two who had lost consciousness. All three are in good condition, and two are being released tonight. The third person may also go home tonight, but it had not been confirmed.

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 five more bodies were removed from the wreckage this morning, in addition to the four previously removed. As of 10:00 a.m., firefighters say there were not seeing signs of more bodies in the wreckage.

The collision occurred just after 5 p.m. as the trains approached the Fort Totten Station, causing the deadliest accident in the transit system's 33-year history.

DC Fire & EMS Department Chief Dennis Rubin said that up to six of those hurt sustained life-threatening injuries, another 14 have less threatening injuries and 50 people have what officials call "walking injuries."

Metro officials confirmed one of the dead was a female train operator.

Chief Rubin reported two firefighters sustained minor injuries.

The death toll from this incident surpasses a January 13, 1982 wreck near Federal Triangle where three people were killed.

In Monday's crash both trains were traveling inbound, toward Union Station, when one train stopped short of the Fort Totten Station and the second one didn't. The second train ended up on top of the first.

Teams searched the surrounding areas for anyone that may have been thrown from the train. They worked through the night trying to recover bodies from the crushed rear car of the first train.

The crash happened on the Red line near New Hampshire Avenue, NE.

Metro shut down this portion of the Red Line and expects it to remain closed through much of Tuesday. The adjacent CSX tracks were shut forcing the cancelation of trains on MARC's Brunswick Line.

The National Transportation Safety Board is on the scene with nine members leading the investigation into what caused the collision.

If you are looking for information on a family member, officials are now saying to call 311.