Fenty Press Conference #2: Liveblog
Mayor Adrian M. Fenty: Reports scene as being "as horrific as you can imagine." Describes one train as being "almost squeezed completely together."
Confirms the figure of six fatalities, as previously reported by WJLA-TV. Calls that a "working number," meaning that the hospitals haven't been cleared and the scene hasn't been cleared. Fire officials continue searching the scene.
Fire Chief Dennis Rubin says that there's a total of 76 people transported.
Also: Responder injuries: two, minor.
Rubin: One of trains is compressed 85 percent. Will make certain train is clear of living and dead before turning over the train to investigators. They're doing a "primary search."
Police Chief Cathy Lanier: There's a reunification center set up for families. Please call 3-1-1.
Nine NTSB investigators are on the case. FBI evidence response team is on the case as well.
Fenty: Largest fatality count in four-decade history of Metro.
FBI guy: Team will be assisting NTSB. Evidence-response people are completely on top of this. Cautions against jumping to any conclusions about what happened.
NTSB promises to gather "factual information" about the accident.
Jim Graham: Metro board will meet tomorrow at 2 p.m.
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Linked From: June 22nd, 2009Red Line Trains Collide Near Fort Totten: Deadliest Crash In Metro History - City Desk - Washington City Paper
8:37 pm[...] Rubin hails heroic efforts of D.C. fire fighters. Two fire fighters sustained minor injuries. Lanier says a “reunification center” has been set up. Call 311 if you are looking for a loved one. We are reporting out the press conference in full. [...]
8:45 pm
Didn't this happen in Muriel Bowser's ward? What is Jim Graham doing there?
9:00 pm
he's the chair of the Metro Board
9:34 pm
Ahh I see.