Comments on: On the Scene: Metro Collision Eyewitness Accounts

By: Angry Al Gonzales

Angry Al Gonzales — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:21:44 +0000

Q, as usual you're completely backwards in your "facts". The trains were northbound, so were only a few stops from the end of the line. You seem to think the trains were just starting out - & you're wrong. Again.
Meto is right - bus drivers in a rush to finish their routes to get home have killed dozens of people. Every person who actually rides the bus knows that bus drivers go nuts trying to finish their last routes as fast as possible. Who knows what the situation was here, since Metro is keeping a lot of facts secret.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:36:41 +0000

delays on the red line are completely ridiculous

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc393wVmVUY

By: Q

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:49:03 +0000

"In a hurry to get home" ?!? Train #2 was just a few stations into the route from Glenmont to Shady Grove -- a mere 22 stations away at the point of impact. Considering she was from Springfield, VA, one would surmise that with the usual VA traffic and HOV, there would be no need to RUSH and finish her route.

Please read: http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=2624

By: meto

meto — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 18:09:11 +0000

I'll bet money that a large part of the cause of the crash was that at least one of the operators was in a hurry to get home. Most union agreements allow workers to go home when their route is done. So if they get back to the station 20 minutes early, well they get off early. At every workplace people are in a hurry at the end of the day. Paying people to rush so they can leave early it is just asking for trouble. The bus operators have killed dozens of people for the same reason.

By: Tragedy on the Red Line: Loose Lips Daily - City Desk - Washington City Paper

Tragedy on the Red Line: Loose Lips Daily - City Desk - Washington City Paper — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:44:11 +0000

[...] Line Trains Collide Near Fort Totten: Deadliest Crash In Metro History“; “On the Scene: Metro Collision Eyewitness Accounts“; “Rammed Train Had Been Stopped for 10 Minutes“; “Old Questions About [...]

By: Angry Al Gonzales

Angry Al Gonzales — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 02:02:44 +0000

"Even if the signal system failed to stop the train, the operator should have intervened and applied emergency brakes, safety experts familiar with Metro's operations say. The position of the second train after the crash -- the fact that its first car came to rest atop the other train -- indicates that the second train was traveling at high speed." From the WaPo website this evening.

Two Metro trains cannot crash into each other unless operator error is involved. QED.

By: mel

mel — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:36:11 +0000

Condolences and sympathy for those in harms way, and those who have died in this accident.

Stop blaming train drivers -- one just lost her life. Have some respect.

As a rider of this line, I've noticed the train always stops between Fort Totten and Takoma. Sometimes for as long as five minutes. Is there something wrong with the track there? If so, its been wrong for awhile. It's always felt dangerous to stop on the tracks like that.

By: Adams Morgan

Adams Morgan — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 01:04:06 +0000

Wondered how long it would take for someone to blame the District. The Metro is not solely D.C's responsibility...it is a joint effort between D.C., MD and VA.

By: Dale

Dale — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:32:22 +0000

he DC Fire Chief provided incorrect information concerning the number of injuries/fatalities. Channel 7 News provided an update with the correct info...

By: JJ

JJ — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:24:03 +0000

city for not doing reapairs.

By: JJ

JJ — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:23:26 +0000

This accident is most likely not the fault of the metro rail train drivers. The drivers also do not 'strand' people. Passengers are required to board within a certain time segment, or they will risk being left behind. Trains only stay in the station for a short time to avoid causing problems in the schedule.

On a secondary note, the metro rail is government funded, and the city has refused to pay for updates and repairs on the line. Which means this is the fault of the

By: Jule Banville

Jule Banville — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:14:49 +0000

Fixed. Thanks, Elaine.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:11:18 +0000

You weren't on the train were you Mike?

By: elaine

elaine — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:02:28 +0000

Not that it matters but it's Jarboe Printing, with a B. Used to be a vendor of ours. If they're doing a good Samaritan thing in giving their property over to rescue personnel they might as well get the press.

By: Red Line Trains Collide Near Fort Totten: Numerous Injuries, Two Fatalities - City Desk - Washington City Paper

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:44:39 +0000

[...] 6:43 p.m. Update: WCP is reporting from the scene. [...]